Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 2.6 million adults and 1.9 million children in the UK. Awareness and diagnosis rates have surged, and clinical trials are racing to develop new pharmacological options, digital therapeutics, and personalised treatment strategies. Here is what is actively recruiting.
ADHD has moved from a niche paediatric condition to one of the most active areas of psychiatric research in the UK. The NHS is struggling to meet demand for adult ADHD assessments (current waiting lists exceed 5 years in some areas), and clinical trials are exploring everything from novel non-stimulant medications to prescription video games.
There are currently over 80 actively recruiting ADHD trials in the UK. The NIHR has funded several large multi-site studies, and pharmaceutical companies are actively developing new molecules targeting noradrenaline, dopamine, and histamine pathways.
Types of ADHD Trials
Novel Medications
Next-generation non-stimulants, long-acting formulations, and prodrugs targeting noradrenaline, dopamine, and histamine H3 receptors.
Digital Therapeutics
Prescription video games, cognitive training apps, and AI-driven attention training platforms as alternatives or adjuncts to medication.
Adult ADHD
Studies specifically designed for adults, including late-diagnosed adults, women with ADHD, and ADHD across the lifespan.
Comorbidity
Trials addressing ADHD alongside anxiety, depression, substance use, autism, and sleep disorders in integrated treatment approaches.
Next-Generation Medications
Stimulants (methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine) remain first-line, but new drug classes are expanding options:
Centanafadine — a triple reuptake inhibitor (dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin) in Phase 3 trials, offering an alternative non-stimulant mechanism
Viloxazine extended-release (Qelbree) — an NRI approved in the US, now in UK and European trials for both paediatric and adult ADHD
Solriamfetol — a dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor originally for narcolepsy, being tested for ADHD with comorbid excessive daytime sleepiness
Long-acting amphetamine prodrugs — newer delayed-release formulations designed to provide consistent symptom control across 12–16 hours with a single morning dose
H3 receptor antagonists — histamine H3 inverse agonists that boost histamine and noradrenaline in prefrontal cortex, improving attention without stimulant side effects
Abuse-deterrent stimulant formulations — new delivery technologies making stimulants resistant to crushing, dissolving, and misuse
Adult ADHD Research
Adult ADHD is the fastest-growing area of ADHD research in the UK:
Late diagnosis and treatment initiation — trials comparing different medication initiation protocols for adults diagnosed after age 30
ADHD in women — studies addressing the historic under-diagnosis of ADHD in women and exploring sex-specific treatment responses
ADHD and menopause — investigating how hormonal changes affect ADHD symptoms and medication effectiveness in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
Workplace interventions — trials of coaching, workplace accommodations, and assistive technology for adults with ADHD in employment
ADHD and driving — simulator and real-world studies on medication effects on driving performance in adults with ADHD
Transition from child to adult services — studies on maintaining treatment continuity during the CAMHS-to-adult-services handover
Digital Therapeutics and Gaming
The UK is pioneering digital therapies for ADHD that could reduce reliance on medication:
AKL-T01 (EndeavorRx) — the first FDA-cleared prescription video game for ADHD, now in UK trials targeting attention and cognitive control through sensory stimulation and motor challenges
Cognitive training platforms — gamified working memory, inhibitory control, and attention training with adaptive difficulty algorithms
AI-driven coaching apps — real-time task management and behavioural nudging powered by machine learning, adapting to individual ADHD patterns
Neurocognitive assessment tools — digital biomarkers for ADHD diagnosis and treatment monitoring using continuous performance tests and eye tracking
Wearable-based interventions — smartwatch and biosensor-based reminders, activity tracking, and physiological monitoring for ADHD management
Neurofeedback and Brain Training
Neurofeedback is a controversial but actively researched non-pharmacological approach:
Theta/beta neurofeedback — training patients to reduce theta wave activity and increase beta wave activity in the prefrontal cortex, a pattern associated with ADHD
SMR (sensorimotor rhythm) training — enhancing SMR activity to improve attention and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity
fMRI neurofeedback — real-time functional MRI feedback allowing patients to observe and modulate activity in ADHD-related brain networks
Z-score neurofeedback — normative database-guided training targeting multiple brain regions simultaneously for more comprehensive neuromodulation
Combined neurofeedback and medication — trials testing whether neurofeedback can reduce medication dose requirements over time
Comorbidity-Focused Trials
ADHD rarely exists in isolation — up to 75% of adults with ADHD have at least one comorbid condition:
ADHD and anxiety — trials exploring whether treating ADHD improves comorbid anxiety, or whether integrated treatment protocols are needed
ADHD and depression — studies on the overlap between ADHD and treatment-resistant depression, and whether stimulant augmentation improves outcomes
ADHD and substance use — trials of extended-release stimulants and non-stimulants in adults with ADHD and co-occurring alcohol or drug use disorders
ADHD and autism — trials addressing the unique challenges of treating ADHD in autistic individuals, including sensory sensitivity and atypical medication responses
ADHD and sleep — studies on the bidirectional relationship between ADHD symptoms and sleep quality, testing melatonin, CBT-I, and circadian rhythm interventions
Who Can Participate?
Eligibility varies significantly between adult and paediatric ADHD trials:
Adult medication trials — confirmed adult ADHD diagnosis (often requiring structured interview like DIVA-5 or ACE+), age 18–65, stable living situation. Some require medication-naïve status; others accept current treatment
Paediatric trials — formal ADHD diagnosis via CAMHS or community paediatrics, often with parent and teacher rating scales (Conners, SNAP-IV). Age ranges vary (6–12, 6–17, or adolescent-specific)
Digital therapy trials — often broader inclusion; some accept subthreshold symptoms or do not require formal diagnosis. Access to a smartphone or tablet is usually needed
Comorbidity trials — require both ADHD and the comorbid condition to meet diagnostic thresholds. May require stable treatment of one condition whilst intervening on the other
Exclusion criteria — commonly exclude psychosis, bipolar disorder (manic phase), active substance dependence, severe personality disorder, and significant cardiovascular conditions
💡 Tip: Gather Your Diagnostic Documentation
Trial teams will need evidence of your ADHD diagnosis — a letter from your psychiatrist, CAMHS report, or formal assessment report (like DIVA-5 or Conners). They will also want to know your current medication and dose, any previous medications tried, and comorbid diagnoses. If you are on an NHS waiting list for assessment but do not yet have a formal diagnosis, some digital therapy trials may still accept you.
UK ADHD Trial Locations
Major UK centres running ADHD trials include:
London — King's College London, Maudsley Hospital, Imperial College, Great Ormond Street Hospital (paediatric), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge — University of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester — Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Southampton — University of Southampton, Solent NHS Trust
Edinburgh — University of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Nottingham — University of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Cardiff — Cardiff University, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Birmingham — University of Birmingham, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
How to Find Your Match
Use our Smart Matcher to find ADHD trials tailored to your age, diagnosis status, current treatment, and comorbidities. Whether you are an adult seeking non-stimulant options, a parent exploring digital therapies for your child, or someone with late-diagnosed ADHD looking for new approaches, we can help.
Browse our ADHD condition page for all recruiting studies, or explore related conditions like anxiety or depression if you are managing multiple conditions.
Find ADHD Trials For You
Our Smart Matcher uses your diagnosis, age, treatment history, and preferences to find the most relevant clinical trials.