Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.

Recruiting men with ADHD or difficulties paying attention

We are conducting a research study to investigate whether the hormone oxytocin can help individuals with ADHD focus better on tasks at hand.

Massachusetts General Hospital Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
3 visits over 4 months
Estimated Time Commitment
Male, 18-55 years
May Be Eligible
Payment up to $450
May Be Offered
Survey, Blood draw, Medication, MRI scan, Office visit
May Be Required
 
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This project is not recruiting.

Overview

What we are studying

We are performing a research study investigating whether oxytocin nasal spray can help individuals with ADHD and attention problems focus better on tasks at hand and succeed at navigating complex situations.


Why it is important

Hormones, such as oxytocin, may play an important role in human cognition (attention, learning, and decision-making) and behavior. We are doing this research study to find out if oxytocin can help people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder focus better on tasks at hand and succeed at navigating complex situations. We will also collect information on safety when administering a single dose of intranasal oxytocin.


What we hope to accomplish

Principal Investigator

Franziska Plessow, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Public Profile

Who can participate

Men between the ages of 18 and 55 who have previously been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those who are experiencing difficulties in paying attention, staying focused, and controlling impulsive behaviors (acting without thinking about what the result might be).

What you may be asked to do

This study includes 3 study visits at MGH and two optional neuroimaging substudy visits. The first study visit is a screening visit to determine if you qualify for the study and to collect some additional information about you. The second and third visit are the main study visits.


The screening visit will take about 3 hours. You will be asked to fast (have nothing to eat or drink other than water) for at least 10 hours before the visit that will take place in the morning. At this visit, we will do some tests and procedures to see if you qualify to take part in this research study as well as collect some additional information about you. The study doctor will review the results of these tests and procedures concerning eligibility. If you do not qualify, the study doctor will tell you why.


At this visit, we will:



  • Ask you about your medical history

  • Do a physical exam, including height and weight

  • Draw a blood sample

  • Interview you about your mental health

  • Ask you to complete computerized tasks

  • Ask you to fill out some questionnaires about your mood, behavior, and how you make decisions

  • Ask you to complete a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety questionnaire to determine whether you might be eligible to participate in the neuroimaging substudy

  • Advice you to avoid alcohol consumption, strenuous exercise, and sleep deprivation for 24 hours prior to the other study visits


Visits 2 and 3 are expected to take about 3 hours.  At these visits, we will:



  • Update your medical history and physical exam

  • Draw two blood samples

  • Give you the study drug

  • Ask you to complete a series of computerized task that test your attention, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making ability

  • Ask you to fill out questionnaires that assess your mental state (e.g., mood, concentration, symptom severity) at different time points during the study visit

  • Ask if you had any side effects while taking your study drug


You will also have the opportunity to indicate whether you would like to take part in an additional neuroimaging substudy. The neuroimaging substudy includes 2 study visits


Visits 4 and 5 are expected to take 3 hours.  At these visits, we will:



  • Update your medical history and physical exam

  • Ask you to complete an MRI safety questionnaire

  • Give you the study drug

  • Perform a functional MRI (fMRI) scan. MRI scans will produce pictures of your brain, while you complete two tasks and while you rest.

  • Ask you to fill out questionnaires that assess your mental state (e.g., mood, concentration, symptom severity) at different time points during the study visit

  • Ask if you had any side effects while taking your study drug


Project activities may include:

  • Survey
  • Blood draw
  • Medication
  • MRI scan
  • Office visit

Estimated Time Commitment

3 visits over 4 months

What You May Get

We will pay you up to $450 for completion of all aspects of the study. We will pay you $200 if you complete the main study (Visits 1-3). We will pay you $50, if you complete the first main study visit and an additional $150, if you complete the second main study visit. If you take part in the neuroimaging substudy, we will pay you an additional $250 if you complete the neuroimaging substudy. We will pay you $75, if you complete the first neuroimaging substudy visit and an additional $175, if you complete the second neuroimaging substudy visit.


We will pay for parking in the hospital garage during study visits. We will pay for the cost of your transportation/parking up to $25.

Location

Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114

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Travel

  • Local travel reimbursed
  • Parking reimbursed
  • Accessible by public transportation

Travel and Parking Details

Additional Information

Study Phase

Phase 1: This project studies the safety of a medication or treatment, usually on healthy volunteers. It examines the medication or treatment’s effects on the body and looks for side effects.


Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • Foundation
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