Study the role of reward on learningprocesses and the underlying brainactivity in children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
cognitieve- en aandachtsstoornissen en - afwijkingen
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Mapping the role of reward on learning processes and the underlying
brainactivity in children with ADHD.
- Brainactivity during a reward-related task and a learning task in children
with ADHD and healthy controls.
Secundary study parameters/outcome of the study (if applicable):
Secondary outcome
-
Background summary
The department of Clinical Neuropsychology of the VU University in Amsterdam
holds an international research program into disruptive problem behaviour, with
the main focus on ADHD (prof. dr. Oosterlaan, prof. dr. Sergeant, dr. M.
Luman). The research group studies neurocognitive dysfunctions by the use of
highly sensitive computer tasks and brain imaging techniques. One of the recent
findings is that children with ADHD are more dependent on rewards to perform
optimally. An underlying shortage of dopamine (DA) in the fronto-striatal
system has been offered as a potential explanation.
Activity in the striatum is highly important for learning processes in the
presence of reward cues. Receiving a reward results in an increase in DA in the
fronto-striatal system, which enhances stimulus-response (S-R) learning in the
face of reward cues?
Findings in recent studies by dr. Luman are in line with fronto-striatal
abnormalities in ADHD: (1) children with ADHD need more reward and penalties
than controls in order to perform optimally, and (2) children with ADHD show
impaired S-R learning.
With fMRI, activity of the fronto-striatal system in response to reward and
during S-R learning will be captured. fMRI is a valid instrument to study
fronto-striatal functioning, which has been confirmed by recent studies in
adults and adolescents with ADHD. Both studies demonstrate decreased activity
in the fronto-striatal regions in anticipation to rewards in ADHD compared to
controls .
Hypothesis
1. Is impaired S-R learning in children with ADHD related to (a) a diminished
sensitivity to reinforcement such as reward (b) diminished reactivity of the
fronto-striatal system
Study objective
Study the role of reward on learningprocesses and the underlying brainactivity
in children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Study design
In this study, brain activity of 30 children with a DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD en
30 healthy children (age 8 to 12) is measured using fMRI during two
computerized cognitive tasks that measure the sensitivity to reward
contingencies and learning processes.
Study burden and risks
There are no risks associated with this study.
Parent(s)/ caregivers need to agree with the notion that they will be informed
about possible unforseen findings (such as a brain tumor) during the fMRI. In
that case, Prof. dr. F. Barkhof (radiologist) will contact the parent(s)/
caregivers.
V. der Boechorststraat 1
1081 BT
Nederland
V. der Boechorststraat 1
1081 BT
Nederland
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Children between 8 and 12 years old Diagnosis of ADHD
Exclusion criteria
Any psychiatric disorders other than ADHD Learning disorders such as dyslexia Brain damage or neurological disorder (such as epilepsia)
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL25374.029.08 |