TDCS for the Treatment of Inattention Symptoms in Adult ADHD Patients

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by age inappropriate symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or both. The diagnosis of ADHD correlates with several negative outcomes during childhood, adolescence and adulthood, creating huge direct and indirect costs for the health system. The treatment of ADHD involves the use of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches, and stimulant medications are the most commonly used. Although effective, stimulant medication presents several limitations, reducing long-term adherence. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory tool that has been shown to be effective for the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Previous pilot studies applying tDCS in ADHD patients showed conflicting results, and were characterized by heterogeneous methodologies. This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness and safety of tDCS for improving attention in adult ADHD patients by using a more strict methodology, based on a pilot study from our group that showed promising results. Besides that, we aim at exploring the mechanisms of action involved in the effect by using genomic and neuroimaging approaches. By using a computational model, we will also measure the association between clinical response and electric field density propagated with the use of tDCS in brain regions involved in attentional tasks. This will be a phase II-III, parallel, with two intervention groups, randomized, placebo-controlled and double blind study. Only patients without current pharmacological treatment for ADHD will be included in order to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS as an alternative treatment for the disorder. Patients will be randomized to receive tDCS stimulation with either active or sham home-based devices. The stimulation protocol will include one daily stimulation during the first 4 weeks, 2 weekly stimulations for the next 4 weeks, and one weekly stimulation over the last 4 weeks. After the end of the 12 weeks of stimulation, patients will be followed-up during 6 months in order to observe for how long the effects last. The primary outcome will be obtained after the first 4 weeks of stimulation, with the use of a scale that evaluates inattention symptoms. We hypothesize that the active tDCS will reduce inattention symptoms when compared to sham stimulation, and will result in an increased activation of brain regions related to attention performance. In exploratory analyses, by using genomic approaches, we will observe possible associations between treatment response and specific genes, gene pools and polygenic risk scores. In addition, a functional magnetic resonance imaging test will be performed at rest and during both a sustained attention task (Sustained Attention Test), and a working memory task (N-back Test). This will be performed in order to measure the effects of treatment in the activation of brain regions related to attention performance before and after the first 4 weeks of stimulation.

Inclusion criteria

• Subject is willing and able to comply with all requirements of the study;
• Subject is able to provide written consent;
• Subject with an estimated Intelligent Quotient (IQ) score of 80 or above on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Third Edition (WAIS-III);
• Subject has a diagnosis of ADHD (combined or inattentive subtypes) according to DSM-V;
• Subject scores 21 points or more in the Clinician Administered ADHD self-report scale - part A (inattention symptoms);
• Subject has not received pharmacological treatment for ADHD during the last month;
• If the subject receives pharmacological treatment for other medical conditions, he/she agrees to maintain the same dosage during the study time;
• Subject is classified as European descendent according to morphologic characteristics, color and ancestry.

Exclusion criteria

• Subject has a previous history of neurosurgery;
• Subject has any ferromagnetic metal in the head;
• Subject has implanted medical devices in the head or neck region;
• Subject has a history of non-controlled epilepsy with seizures in the last year;
• Subject has a current depressive episode with a Beck Depression Inventory > 21 points;
• Subject has a current anxiety episode with a Beck Anxiety Inventory > 21 points;
• Subject has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder with maniac or depressive episodes in the last year;
• Subject has a diagnosis of schizophrenia or another psychosis;
• Subject has a diagnosis of autism;
• Subject screened positive for substance use disorder according to The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST);
• Subject has an unstable medical condition with reduction of functional capacity in the next 6 months, like cancer, terminal cardiac disease or terminal pulmonary disease;
• Subject is pregnant or willing to become pregnant in the next 3 months;
• Subject is not able to use a home-based device.