Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for ADHD
(TNS-PAE Trial)
Trial Summary
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for ADHD?
Is trigeminal nerve stimulation safe for humans?
How is trigeminal nerve stimulation treatment different from other ADHD treatments?
Trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) is unique because it is a non-invasive treatment that uses electrical impulses to stimulate a nerve in the face, offering a minimal-risk alternative to medication. Unlike traditional ADHD drugs, TNS has relatively few side effects and is the only device-based treatment approved for children with ADHD by the FDA.12357
What is the purpose of this trial?
This is an open-label trial of trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) for children aged 8-12 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) putatively due to prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). TNS has been successful in treating pediatric ADHD generally and it is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared for this condition. But this will be the first time it is tried for ADHD specifically associated with PAE. In TNS, a weak electric current is applied to the child's forehead overnight while sleeping to gently stimulate the brain. TNS is administered at home by the parent to the child. TNS is safe and well tolerated. Efficacy of TNS in ADHD is \~50%. The purpose of the present pilot study is to determine the feasibility of TNS for children with PAE and ADHD. Feasibility means safety (any serious side effects?), tolerability (do children comply with TNS? are they comfortable with it?), and a rough idea of efficacy (does TNS seem to work in most kids?) A secondary goal of the study is to get a more precise idea of brain mechanisms of TNS with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Families who participate will make three clinic visits: eligibility (4-5 hours), pre-TNS (2-3 hours including MRI), and post-TNS (2-3 hours including MRI). Children will receive TNS, applied by the parent, for 8 hours every night while sleeping for 4 weeks. Four weeks after treatment, families will take part in a telephone follow-up, to see whether any improvements made last.
Research Team
Joseph O'Neill, PhD
Principal Investigator
UCLA Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for children aged 8-12 with ADHD due to prenatal alcohol exposure. They must be able to visit the clinic three times and have a parent who can apply the TNS device nightly for four weeks. Children should also be comfortable undergoing MRI scans.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Pre-Treatment
Pre-TNS assessment including MRI
Treatment
Participants receive TNS treatment at home for 8 hours every night while sleeping
Post-Treatment
Post-TNS assessment including MRI
Follow-up
Telephone follow-up to assess lasting improvements
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Collaborator