Research Projects and Funding
Now recruiting!
The Arnett Lab studies are currently recruiting the following participants:
- RHINO ADHD/RHINO-Mites
The RHINO-Mites Study is enrolling 2.5-4 year old children with or without a sibling or parent diagnosed with ADHD - BAT Study
The BAT Study is enrolling 7-11 year old children with or at high risk for ADHD from the Children’s Hospital Primary Care Clinic or the Developmental Medicine Center. Eligible children have never taken stimulant medications before and have been recommended to start a stimulant trial. - Brave RHINO
The BRAVE Study is enrolling 7-11 year old children with anxiety or anxiety+ADHD
If you are interested in participating in the Arnett Lab studies, please email ArnettLab@childrens.harvard.edu or call 617-919-7771.
Current Studies
PUMA
With pilot funding from the Life Course Translational Research Network, Drs. Arnett and Peisch are developing a preventative intervention aimed at reducing substance use and substance use disorders in youth with ADHD. In this first stage, the lab is developing materials and testing acceptability of the intervention with community stakeholders.
BAT
The Arnett Lab is currently enrolling 7-11 year old children with or at high risk for ADHD for the BAT Study (BAT = Biomarkers of ADHD Treatment response). Participants must be from the Children’s Hospital Primary Care Clinic or the Developmental Medicine Center. Eligible children must also be stimulant medication naïve and have been recommended to start a stimulant trial. The goal of this study is to find brain markers in children that will predict which ADHD medication is best for them. We are using EEG and neuropsychological testing to investigate. The BAT Study is funded by the Translational Neuroscience Center (TNC).
Brave RHINO
The Arnett Lab is currently enrolling 7-11 year old children with anxiety or anxiety+ADHD for the Brave-RHINO Study. In this study, we will examine whether brain mechanisms for attention problems in anxiety and ADHD are distinct or overlapping. The Brave RHINO Study is funded by the Steve Samuels & Ami Cipolla Innovation Pilot Grant.
RHINO ADHD
The Arnett Lab is currently enrolling 7- to 11-year-old participants for the RHINO ADHD Study (RHINO = Research on Heterogeneity In NeurOdevelopmental disorders and ADHD). The goal of this study is to characterize biomarkers of individual differences among school-age children with ADHD. Our methods include electroencephalography (EEG), in which we measure brain activity in a comfortable and fun way for the children, as well as neuropsychological testing and an interview. The RHINO ADHD study is funded for three years by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
RHINO-Mites
The Arnett Lab is currently enrolling 2.5- to 4-year-old participants for the RHINO-Mites Study. The goal of this study is to identify brain markers associated with familial risk for ADHD and ADHD outcomes. As with the RHINO study, methods include electroencephalography (EEG), in which we measure brain activity in a comfortable and fun way for the children, as well as neuropsychological testing and an interview. The RHINO-Mites study is funded for three years by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Completed studies
Museum of Science study
This past summer we partnered with the Living Laboratory at the Museum of Science for our AEROBIC Study. In this study, individuals 5 and older were randomly assigned to play either an “exercise” game or a “relaxation” game before completing a short test of attention and inhibitory control. The goal of this study was to help us understand how exercise and relaxation can impact a person’s ability to pay attention and regulate impulses. We hope that our research will continue to contribute to development and improvement of treatments for children with ADHD.
Re-ACTIVE Study
The Re-ACTIVE study was conducted at the University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability. This study involved repeat EEG testing of 60 school-age children who successfully completed the ACTIVE Study at UW. The research goal is to evaluate stability of neurophysiological biomarkers in children with ADHD. This study is funded by the Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation (KTGF).
READY Study (Relations of EEG and methylphenidate response in Attention Deficit hyperactivitY disorder)
The READY Study was run by Tara Rutter, MS, and constituted her doctoral dissertation in psychology at Seattle Pacific University. READY was an extension of the ACTIVE study and examined EEG correlates of stimulant medication response. Previous ACTIVE study participants who have ever taken methylphenidate were eligible for this study. The goal of this study was to examine potential biomarkers of methylphenidate response among children. The investigation involved a short online questionnaire about your child’s medication history and also included a short parent phone interview.
ACTIVE Study (ADHD and Cognition: Tackling Individual Variability with EEG)
This study was supported by a NIMH K99 research grant awarded to Dr. Arnett. The goal of the research was to identify subtypes of ADHD that are defined by common patterns of activity in the brain. The study involved electroencephalography (EEG), which is a non-invasive way of measuring electrical activity in the brain. Children with ADHD show atypical EEG responses to visual and auditory information, as well as atypical EEG patterns when completing a task that requires attention.