EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE VERSUS NORMAL-DOSE PSYCHOSTIMULANTS ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH ADHD

Purpose of Research
When a doctor prescribes exactly the right dose of stimulant medication for controlling behavioural hyperactivity and impulsivity in children and youth with ADHD, that dose might be too high for aiding memory, attention, or other cognitive functions central for success in school and in life. The purpose of our study is to find out if your child’s dose might be too high. We want to see how children and youths with ADHD perform on tests of thinking, attention, working memory, self-control, problem-solving and mental flexibility when on their normal dose of stimulant medication and when on half that.

Who Can Participate?
We are looking for children and youths who ….

• have ADHD of the combined type
• are between the ages of 6 – 18 years
• are taking stimulant medication for their ADHD and have been on their current dose for at least 2 weeks
• do not have a history of any severe adverse reaction to lowering the dose of their stimulant medication
• live in the greater Vancouver, BC area

What is involved?
Study participation involves….

1. coming out to our lab at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver twice, two weeks apart (you will be reimbursed for travel and parking expenses)
2. playing computer games that require thinking, attention, working memory, self-control, problem-solving and mental flexibility, plus taking some paper and pencil measures of reading, math, and reasoning
3. taking half the dose of their stimulant medication before one session, and the full dose of their medication before the other session, order counterbalanced across participants (cost of the medication used in this study will be covered by the research team)
4. you will be told the results from your child’s participation in our study 4-6 weeks after your 2nd (that is, your last) session with us

Location of Study
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
Department of Psychiatry
2255 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1

How Can I Join This Study?
If you or anyone you know MIGHT be interested in participating you can email us at devcogneuro@gmail.com or call us at (604) 827-3074
Contact Information
Email: devcogneuro@gmail.com
Phone: (604) 827-3074