Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation iTBS to Improve Working Memory and Inhibitory Control in Adolescents with ADHD

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying adolescents aged 12 to 18 years who have been diagnosed with ADHD and experience difficulties with working memory and inhibitory control. The study aims to compare the effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation iTBS, a type of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, when applied to two different brain areas the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex DLPFC and the right presupplementary motor area PreSMA. The goal is to understand how these treatments may differently affect working memory and inhibitory control deficits in ADHD. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive iTBS targeting either the left DLPFC or the right PreSMA. Each participant will undergo three nine-minute iTBS sessions daily, with 20 to 30 minutes between sessions, for a total of ten days, resulting in 30 sessions overall. The stimulation is delivered using a Nexstim NBT System 2 device with MRI neuro-navigation and a cooled figure-eight coil to precisely target the brain regions. During participation, assessments will be conducted approximately 1 to 2 days after completing the iTBS sessions. These include EEG measurements of beta band brain activity, fMRI scans of brain blood flow, task-based performance tests for working memory and inhibitory control, and symptom ratings from parents. The study involves careful monitoring and evaluation of these outcomes to understand the effects of the treatments. Participation spans the treatment period plus follow-up assessments shortly after completion.

Accelerated iTBS Targeting of Working Memory Versus Inhibitory Control in Adolescent ADHD