Role of Theta Frequency Oscillations in Proactive and Reactive Control Processes in Youth With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

September 3, 2026 updated by: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Background:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in children. It can cause problems with attention and the ability to control actions and impulses. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is less common in children but not rare. It involves ongoing thoughts, urges, impulses, and repeated behaviors. Researchers want to study differences in brain activity between healthy children, those with ADHD, and those with OCD.

Objective:

To learn more about how the brain controls thinking and behavior.

Eligibility:

People aged 10 to 17 years with ADHD, OCD, or neither.

Design:

Participants will have 3 to 10 clinic visits in up to 1 year. Each visit will last 2 to 3 hours.

Three visits are required:

Behavioral. Participants will complete a computer task. Their mood, memory, attention, and thinking skills will be tested.

EEG. Participants will undergo electroencephalography (EEG) to measure signals in their brain. Small electrodes will be placed on the scalp. A cap will be stretched over the head. Signals will be recorded while participants rest or do tasks on a computer.

MRI. Participants will have a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI). They will lie on a table that rolls into a tube. The MRI will take pictures of their brain while they do tasks on a computer.

Seven more visits are optional. These include 2 more EEG visits and 2 more MRI visits.

Three will be magnetoencephalography (MEG) visits: MEG measures small magnetic field changes in the brain. A helmet with sensors will be placed on the head. Brain changes will be recorded while participants rest or do tasks on a computer.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Detailed Description

Study Description:

This is a pilot feasibility/tolerability study to evaluate the role of theta frequency oscillations in proactive and reactive control processes in youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). We hypothesize that: 1) Procedures will be tolerable for healthy volunteer (HV) children without a primary DSM-5 diagnosis, youth with ADHD and youth with OCD; 2) Procedures will be feasible for healthy volunteer (HV) children without a primary DSM-5 diagnosis, youth with ADHD and youth with OCD; 3) EEG and fMRI data for the majority of participants will be of sufficient quality for analysis (e.g. without artifact or excessive motion); 4) We will be able to identify cortical sources associated with resting-state and task-evoked theta oscillatory activity. This study will inform a future study where EEG-synchronized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) will modulate theta oscillations to improve cognitive control in youth with ADHD and youth with OCD.

Objectives:

Primary Objectives:

  1. Evaluate the feasibility of MRI and EEG procedures at rest and during cognitive tasks in youth with ADHD, youth with OCD and HV youth.
  2. Evaluate the tolerability of study procedures in youth with ADHD, youth with OCD and HV youth.
  3. Evaluate the data quality obtained from the EEG and fMRI in youth with ADHD, youth with OCD and HV youth.
  4. Identify cortical sources of resting-state and task-evoked theta oscillations in youth with ADHD, youth with OCD and HV youth.

Secondary Objectives:

1. Evaluate the reliability of task performance on cognitive control tasks across sessions.

Exploratory Objectives:

1. Compare the power of resting and task-evoked theta oscillations in the EEG recording across ADHD, OCD, and HV groups.

2a. Evaluate the relation between power in resting-state theta oscillations and task-evoked theta power in the electroencephalogram (EEG).

2b. Evaluate the relationship between power in resting-state theta oscillations in the EEG and task performance.

3. Evaluate the data quality and compare the power of resting and task-evoked theta oscillations in the MEG recording across ADHD, OCD, and HV groups.

4. Compare the BOLD activity, and connectivity within and across "task-positive" function networks (TPNs) across ADHD, OCD, and HV groups.

5. Compare the power of task-evoked EEG and MEG theta oscillations and cortical sources of task-evoked theta oscillations across standardized cognitive control and working memory tasks in youth with ADHD, youth with OCD and HV youth.

6. Develop latent executive functioning factors based on cognitive control and working memory task outcomes and evaluate the relationship between this latent factor and power of resting and task-evoked theta oscillations.

Endpoints:

Primary Endpoints:

  1. Participant Retention for all visits of the study and task performance (Primary Objective 1).
  2. Adverse Events reported related to study procedures (Primary Objective 2).
  3. Percentage of EEG and fMRI data deemed to be of sufficient quality for analysis (e.g. without artifact or excessive motion) (Primary Objective 3).
  4. Structural cortical region source localized from a combination of the EEG (and MEG in a subset of patients) and fMRI data (Primary Objective 4).

Secondary Endpoints:

1. Accuracy and reaction time behavioral responses to cognitive control tasks.

Exploratory Endpoints:

  1. EEG Power in the theta frequency band (4-7Hz) (Exploratory Objective 1, 2a and 2b, and 5).
  2. Power of MEG oscillations in the theta (4-7Hz) frequency band during rest and during cognitive control tasks (Exploratory Objective 3 and 5).
  3. BOLD activation and connectivity in TPN networks (Exploratory Objective 4).
  4. Structural cortical region source localized from a combination of the EEG (and MEG in a subset of patients) and fMRI data (Exploratory Objective 5).
  5. Latent Inhibitory Control Factor and Latent Working Memory Factor derived by structural equation modeling using performance-based metrics across the three inhibitory control tasks and two working memory tasks (Exploratory Objective 6).

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
110

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Maryland
      • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
        • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

We aim to collect a sample of 90 youth ages 10-17, 30 with ADHD, 30 with OCD, and 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing healthy volunteer youth with complete data. In order to account for screen failures and participant attrition, we will recruit 110 individuals. Consistent with the sex differences in rates of psychopathology, we expect to enroll more males than females at an approximate 3:1 ratio in the ADHD group and 3:2 ratio in the OCD group, and therefore also more males than females in the sex-matched control group. Recruitment will be limited to DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Description

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

    1. Ability to provide informed assent and parent consent
    2. Age: 10-17 years

    3. ADHD Group: Diagnosis of ADHD based on DSM-5 criteria

      OCD Group: Diagnosis of OCD based on DSM-5 criteria

      HV Group: No Neurological or Psychiatric diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria

    4. Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II). WASI-II will be used as a measure of intellectual function. Children will be included when FSIQ > 70.
    5. Normal or corrected to normal vision

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Participants will be screened to exclude participants in whom MRI or EEG might result in increased risk of side effects or complications or whose data would not be scientifically valid.

  1. Non-English Speakers
  2. Pregnancy
  3. Any implant, prosthesis or alteration of the body that, in the opinion of the investigator, would be unsafe with MRI or EEG or that would produce an artifact that would compromise the integrity of data;
  4. Active or History of psychosis, bipolar I disorder, Level 2 or 3 autism spectrum disorder, active severe substance use disorders (within the last month), have active suicidal intent or plan as detected on screening instruments;
  5. Individuals currently taking stimulant medications who cannot tolerate being off their medication for up to 48 hours prior to the study visit and experience an exacerbation of symptoms that necessitates the resumption of medication prior to completion of the study visit.
  6. Past or present medical or neurological condition, disease, disorder, genetic finding, or injury that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may significantly increase the potential risks of study participation, reduce or compromise a subject s ability to fully comply with all study requirements for the duration of the study or may compromise the integrity of the data.
  7. For the HV group, any impairing current psychiatric diagnosis.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Healthy Volunteer Youth
Youth ages 10-17 without any Neurological or Psychiatric diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria and Neuropsychological battery of tests.
Youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Youth ages 10-17 with a DSM-5 Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Youth with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Youth ages 10-17 with a DSM-5 Diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Participant Retention for all visits of the study and task performance.
Time Frame: At each visit
Withdrawal rates and Accuracy rates on task.
At each visit
Adverse Events reported related to study procedures
Time Frame: At each visit
Patient Reported Negative Side Effects
At each visit
Percentage of EEG and fMRI data deemed to be of sufficient quality for analysis (e.g. without artifact or excessive motion).
Time Frame: At time of assessment
Amount of analyzable data
At time of assessment
Structural cortical region source localized from a combination of the EEG (and MEG in a subset of patients) and fMRI data
Time Frame: At time of assessment
Location of brain activation
At time of assessment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Accuracy and reaction time behavioral responses to cognitive control tasks.
Time Frame: Across all study visits
Computerized Task performance
Across all study visits

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Lindsay M Oberman, Ph.D., National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 9, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 31, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 31, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 2, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 3, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 22, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 10002632
  • 002632-M

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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