Metabolic Mechanisms of the Electrophysiological Biomarkers for Response to Methylphenidate Treatment in Children With ADHD

To explore the relationship of treatment-related changes in electrophysiology and those in metabolomics for identification of the underlying metabolic mechanisms for the electrophysiological effects of methylphenidate in children with ADHD.

Although the efficacy of methylphenidate in reducing the core symptoms of attentiondeficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is well documented in clinical trials, no definite biomarker has been identified to differentiate responders from non-responders to methylphenidate treatment for children with ADHD. In addition, the neural and metabolic mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of methylphenidate remain to be elucidated. In this 4-year prospective project, the investigators will explore the effects of 12-week treatment with methylphenidate on the electrophysiology and metabolomics of children with ADHD to identify the biomarkers for predicting the clinical response to methylphenidate. In addition, the investigators will explore the metabolic mechanisms through which methylphenidate treatment may modulate the abnormality in the electrophysiology of children with ADHD. Specific Aims: 1. To examine the differences in electrophysiology and metabolomics between children with ADHD and neurotypical controls. 2. To examine the differences in the change of electrophysiology and metabolomics after 12-week treatment with methylphenidate between responders and non-responders in children with ADHD. 3. To explore the relationship of treatment-related changes in electrophysiology and those in metabolomics for identification of the underlying metabolic mechanisms for the electrophysiological effects of methylphenidate in children with ADHD.