Research Projects

The ADHD Program conducts a range of research projects that include clinical trials, laboratory studies, and genetics studies.  Many of our current studies are actively seeking particiapnts.  Current and past projects are summarized below:

Current Research Projects

 
Virtual Reality Study for Young males ages 12–16 (Fitzgerald)

Dr. David Fitzgerald of the Duke ADHD program, in collaboration with Dr. Robert Hubal of Research Triangle Institute, are currently recruiting young males ages 12–16 to participate in a research study that is designed to look at the potential usefulness of interactive computer characters (virtual reality characters) in the assessment and treatment of externalizing disorders such as Conduct Disorder and ADHD. Research has shown that children with behavior problems (such as Conduct Disorder and Attention Deficit ⁄ Hyperactivity Disorder) make different social decisions ….

learn more about the Virtual Reality Study for males ages 12–16

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Genetics of ADHD (Kollins)

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center are conducting a study of the hereditary or genetic factors that contribute to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD⁄HD). AD⁄HD is a complex genetic disorder, meaning it is thought to be the result of a combination of environmental and genetic (inherited) factors. The primary goal of this research study is to find the genetic factors related to AD⁄HD...

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Effects of Commonly Used ADHD Medications (Kollins)

Dr. Scott Kollins, of the Duke ADHD Program, is currently conducting a study of the effects of commonly used ADHD medications in individuals with and without ADHD. These studies are designed to better understand how these medications are used and how they work in the brains of people who have ADHD compared to those who do not have ADHD. If you are interested in this research project, please see the following advertisements:

open new window with pdf document to view the ADHD ad

open new window with pdf document to view the Control ad

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Follow-up of the Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS) (Kollins)

Dr. Scott Kollins, of the Duke ADHD Program, is currently conducting a 5–year follow up study of the children who participated in the initial Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS)...

learn more about the Follow-up of the Preschool ADHD Treatment Study

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Smoking & ADHD (Kollins)

Researchers at the Duke ADHD Program, in collaboration with colleagues at the Center for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Research, are conducting two research studies related to ADHD and smoking. We are actively recruiting smokers ages 18-50 who regularly smoke at least 1/2 pack/day and who may or may not have been diagnosed with ADHD.

Learn More

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Follow-up of the Multimodel Treatment Study of ADHD Children (MTA) - (Murray/Wells)

The MTA Study is examining the long-term effects of different forms of treatment. In a parallel–group design, 579 rigorously diagnosed children with ADHD age 7–9 were randomly assigned to four treatment conditions: (1) Medication–only; (2) Psychosocial–only; (3) Combined (medication and psychosocial); or (4) Assessment–and–Referral condition...

learn more about Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD Children

The following is a list of links to national MTA coverage:

open new window view CNN article

open new window view San Francisco Chronicle article

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Past Research Projects

Parent-Teacher Consultation (Murray B/Start)

Although there are many effective school-based behavioral interventions for students with Attention-Deficit⁄Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), feasibility in applied settings over time is largely unknown. A daily report card system provided in the context of conjoint parent-teacher consultation is a promising school-based intervention for improving students’ school performance and parent-teacher relations...

learn more about Parent–Teacher Consultation for ADHD Students

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Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS) (Kollins)

The PATS was an NIMH–funded, multi–center, randomized, efficacy trial designed to evaluate the short term (5 week) efficacy and long–term (40 weeks) safety of MPH in preschoolers with ADHD. Three–hundred three subjects aged 3 to 5.5 years old who met criteria for a primary DSM–IV diagnosis of ADHD entered the trial...

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                                                   Publications
Publications of Drs. Epstein, Kollins, Murray

open new window with pdf document to view the list of publications of Drs. Epstein, Kollins, Murray

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