RECRUITING

Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Children With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

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.

Official Title

Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Children With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Quick Facts

Study Start:2025-04-26
Study Completion:2026-09-30
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT06847165

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:8 Years to 12 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No
Standard Ages:CHILD
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. * - Fetal alcohol syndrome, partial fetal alcohol syndrome, or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder per modified Institute of Medicine criteria (thus positive maternal drinking in pregnancy required, facial stigmata not required)
  2. * Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) \>6 drinks/week for \>= 2 weeks and/or \>= 3 drinks on \>= 2 occasions throughout gestation per Health Interview for Women/Health Interview for Adoptive and Foster Parents (HIW/HIAFP)
  3. * Diagnosis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition (DSM-5) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including problems with inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or executive function. Screening for ADHD will be done using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Teacher and Parent Rating Scale (SNAP IV). Formal diagnosis of ADHD will be based on the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) with input from the Behavior Rating of Executive Function (BRIEF II) and the Conners 4.
  4. * Parent and child able to complete testing in English
  5. * Child able to cooperate during MRI
  6. * Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient \>70 per the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT-2)
  7. * Child able to comply with study procedures
  8. * Age 8-12
  1. * - Other toxic exposure per HIW/HIAFP whose influence clearly surpasses that of alcohol (very rare) per study clinician judgement
  2. * Known genetic syndrome associated with ADHD-like symptoms including fragile X, tuberous sclerosis, or generalized resistance to thyroid hormone
  3. * Serious medical or neurologic illness likely to influence brain function, e.g., seizures, closed-head trauma
  4. * Gestation \< 34 weeks
  5. * Ferromagnetic metal, claustrophobia, or other MRI or TNS contraindication (e.g., insulin pumps or other body-worn devices)
  6. * Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, psychotic disorder, or major mood disorder
  7. * Active suicidal ideation as evidenced by meeting criteria for "Current" or "Lifetime attempt" on the Suicidality module or "Current' or 'In early remission' on the Suicide Behavior Disorder module of the MINI KID

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Lindy B Comstock, PhD
CONTACT
(310) 825-5709
ChildBrainStudy@mednet.ucla.edu
Joseph O'Neill, PhD
CONTACT
(310) 825-5709
joneill@mednet.ucla.edu

Principal Investigator

Joseph O'Neill, PhD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
UCLA Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Study Locations (Sites)

University of California Los Angeles Semel Institute Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Los Angeles, California, 90024
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

  • Joseph O'Neill, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, UCLA Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2025-04-26
Study Completion Date2026-09-30

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2025-04-26
Study Completion Date2026-09-30

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

  • prenatal alcohol exposure
  • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • trigeminal nerve stimulation

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder