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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderNCT07665658

Effectiveness of Neuroplasticity-Targeted Supplements on Neuroinflammatory Markers, ADHD Symptom Severity, and Clinical Scores in Children

A study testing Inulin, Probiotic and Omega-3 Fatty Acids in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, run by Khyber Medical University Peshawar at 1 site in Pakistan.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of neuroplasticity-targeted supplements on neuroinflammatory markers and ADHD symptoms in children aged 6 to 12 years diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 12 years
Conditions the study is for
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
What is being tested?
Inulin, Probiotic and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
68 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
1 Mar 2026to 25 Dec 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 6 to 12 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • DSM-5 confirmed ADHD diagnosis
  • Age 6-12 years
  • Medication-free or on stable stimulant medication (≥1 month)

Who cannot join

  • Antibiotic use in last 4 weeks
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Neurological comorbidities (e.g., epilepsy)
  • Severe food allergies

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Dr Dur E Shawar, PhD* contact

03348405894

shehwar88@gmail.com

Prof Dr Inayat Shah, PhD contact

03321431414

inayat.shah@kmu.edu.pk

Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Khyber Teaching Hospital

    Peshawar, KPK, 25000

    Dr Dur e

    Dr Inayat Khan

    Recruiting

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

Official title: Effectiveness of Neuroplasticity-Targeted Supplements on Neuroinflammatory Markers, ADHD Symptom Severity, and Clinical Scores in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of neuroplasticity-targeted supplements on neuroinflammatory markers and ADHD symptoms in children aged 6 to 12 years diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: gut-targeted supplements (prebiotics and probiotics), brain-targeted supplements (omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B1), combined supplementation, or placebo. The intervention period will last 12 weeks. Primary outcomes include changes in ADHD symptom severity and clinical scores using validated rating scales. Secondary outcomes include changes in biomarkers of neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity, including IL-6, TNF-alpha, BDNF, short-chain fatty acids, and Claudin-5.

Read the detailed description

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Emerging evidence suggests that neuroinflammation, altered gut microbiota, and impaired neuroplasticity may contribute to ADHD pathophysiology. Nutritional interventions that target these mechanisms may provide additional therapeutic benefit.

This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial designed to investigate whether supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B1 can improve ADHD symptoms and related biological markers in children. Sixty-eight participants aged 6 to 12 years with DSM-5 confirmed ADHD will be enrolled and randomly assigned in equal numbers to one of four intervention groups: (1) prebiotics plus probiotics, (2) omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamin B1, (3) combined supplementation, or (4) placebo.

The intervention duration will be 12 weeks. ADHD symptoms and behavioral scores will be assessed at baseline and after treatment using validated rating scales, including Conners 3 and Vanderbilt ADHD forms. Blood samples will be collected at baseline and week 12 for measurement of inflammatory and neuroplasticity biomarkers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), Claudin-5, and complete blood count parameters.

The primary objective is to determine the effect of supplementation on ADHD symptom scores. Secondary objectives include comparison of treatment groups for biomarker changes and evaluation of associations between biological markers and clinical outcomes. Results may help identify safe adjunctive nutritional strategies for children with ADHD.

Being tested
Inulin, Probiotic, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Thiamine, Placebo
Keywords
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Randomized Controlled Trial, Neuroinflammation, Neuroplasticity
Medical subject headings
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Neuroinflammatory Diseases

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • InulinDietary supplement

    Also called Fructan prebiotic

    Participants will receive inulin powder 6 grams orally once daily for 12 weeks as a prebiotic supplement intended to support beneficial gut microbiota.

  • ProbioticDietary supplement

    Also called Acidophilus Bifidus

    Participants will receive a probiotic supplement containing Acidophilus Bifidus 2 × 10^11 CFU orally once daily for 12 weeks.

  • Omega-3 Fatty AcidsDietary supplement

    Also called Fish Oil, EPA, DHA

    Participants will receive omega-3 fatty acid supplementation containing EPA 650 mg and DHA 540 mg orally once daily for 12 weeks.

  • ThiamineDietary supplement

    Also called Vitamin B1

    Participants will receive thiamine (vitamin B1) 10 mg orally once daily for 12 weeks.

  • PlaceboOther

    Also called Matching placebo

    Participants will receive matching placebo supplementation orally once daily for 12 weeks.

Study groups in NCT07665658
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Gut-Targeted Supplements GroupExperimentalParticipants will receive prebiotics (inulin 6 g/day) and probiotics (Acidophilus Bifidus 2 × 10^11 CFU/day orally) for 12 weeks.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Inulin; Dietary Supplement: Probiotic
Neuroplasticity-Targeted Supplements GroupExperimentalParticipants will receive omega-3 fatty acids containing EPA 650 mg and DHA 540 mg daily, plus vitamin B1 (thiamine 10 mg/day orally) for 12 weeks.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Dietary Supplement: Thiamine
Combined Supplements GroupExperimentalParticipants will receive prebiotics (inulin 6 g/day), probiotics (Acidophilus Bifidus 2 × 10^11 CFU/day), omega-3 fatty acids containing EPA 650 mg and DHA 540 mg daily, and vitamin B1 (thiamine 10 mg/day orally) for 12 weeks.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Inulin; Dietary Supplement: Probiotic; Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Dietary Supplement: Thiamine
Placebo GroupPlacebo comparatorParticipants will receive matching placebo supplements orally for 12 weeks.
Receives: Other: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Parent and Teacher ADHD Rating

    Change in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptom severity measured using the Conners 3 Parent and Teacher ADHD Rating Scales. The Conners 3 assesses inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, executive functioning, learning problems, aggression, and peer relations. Raw scores are converted to T-scores, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity and functional impairment.

    Scale Information:

    T-score range: approximately 40-90 Higher scores indicate worse ADHD symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  2. Neuroinflammation Markers (IL-6, TNF-α)

    Change in serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha measured by ELISA

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  3. Neuroplasticity Markers (BDNF, Claudin-5)

    Change in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and blood-brain barrier tight junction protein claudin-5 measured by ELISA

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  4. Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA)

    Change in gut microbiota-derived metabolites (e.g., butyrate) measured by ELISA

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  5. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

    Change in blood cell counts (e.g., white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets)

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  6. ADHD Diagnostic Parent and Teacher Rating

    Change in ADHD symptom severity measured using the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent and Teacher Rating Scales. The symptom assessment includes 18 ADHD items corresponding to DSM criteria for inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. Total symptom scores range from 0 to 54, with higher scores indicating greater ADHD symptom severity.

    Scale Information:

    Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 54 Higher scores indicate worse ADHD symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted24 Jun 2026
  2. Study start1 Mar 2026
  3. Primary completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion25 Dec 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four parallel groups: (1) prebiotics plus probiotics, (2) omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamin B1, (3) combined supplementation, or (4) placebo. Participants will remain in their assigned group throughout the 12-week intervention period.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Care provider, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
68 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07665658
Sponsor's protocol ID
KMU/DIR/CTU/2026/02
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
16 Jun 2026
Last updated
24 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: IPD that underlie the results reported in publications, including demographic data, baseline characteristics, ADHD symptom scores, laboratory measurements, and intervention allocation data, will be shared after de-identification. Data will be provided in a manner that protects participant confidentiality and privacy. Supporting study documents including the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, informed consent form, clinical study report, and analytic code will also be made available. IPD that underlie the results reported in publications, including demographic data, baseline characteristics, ADHD symptom scores, laboratory measures, and intervention allocation data, will be shared after de-identification. Data will be provided in a manner that protects participant confidentiality and privacy. Supporting study documents including the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, informed consent form, clinical study report, and analytic code will also be made available.

Publications

  • Allahyari P, Abbas Torki S, Aminnezhad Kavkani B, Mahmoudi Z, Mousavi Hoseini MS, Moradi M, Alami F, Keshavarz Mohammadian M, Bahoo Sele Bani S, Abbasi Mobarakeh K, Shafaei H, Khoshdooz S, Hajipour A, Doaei S, Gholamalizadeh M. A systematic review of the beneficial effects of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on ADHD. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep. 2024 Jun;44(2):300-307. doi: 10.1002/npr2.12437. Epub 2024 Apr 16.

    PubMed 38623929
  • Levy Schwartz M, Magzal F, Yehuda I, Tamir S. Exploring the impact of probiotics on adult ADHD management through a double-blind RCT. Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 5;14(1):26830. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-73874-y.

    PubMed 39500949
  • Yin X, Liu W, Feng H, Huang J, Wang Q, Zhang Q, He J, Wang R. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis A6 attenuates hippocampal damage and memory impairments in an ADHD rat model. Food Funct. 2024 Mar 4;15(5):2668-2678. doi: 10.1039/d3fo04665f.

    PubMed 38374797
  • Checa-Ros A, Jerez-Calero A, Molina-Carballo A, Campoy C, Munoz-Hoyos A. Current Evidence on the Role of the Gut Microbiome in ADHD Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Implications. Nutrients. 2021 Jan 16;13(1):249. doi: 10.3390/nu13010249.

    PubMed 33467150
  • Sayed SZ, Hassan ZO, Abdelraheem WM, Refaat RS, Abuelela IS. Is there a link between peripheral inflammation and blood brain barrier integrity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder? A case-control study. BMC Pediatr. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):769. doi: 10.1186/s12887-024-05254-4.

    PubMed 39592970
  • Steckler R, Magzal F, Kokot M, Walkowiak J, Tamir S. Disrupted gut harmony in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Dysbiosis and decreased short-chain fatty acids. Brain Behav Immun Health. 2024 Jul 27;40:100829. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100829. eCollection 2024 Oct.

    PubMed 39184374
  • Young GS, Conquer JA, Thomas R. Effect of randomized supplementation with high dose olive, flax or fish oil on serum phospholipid fatty acid levels in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Reprod Nutr Dev. 2005 Sep-Oct;45(5):549-58. doi: 10.1051/rnd:2005045.

    PubMed 16188207

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Inulin, Probiotic and Omega-3 Fatty Acids in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, run by Khyber Medical University Peshawar at 1 site in Pakistan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Dr Dur E Shawar, PhD* (03348405894, shehwar88@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Parent and Teacher ADHD Rating (time frame: Baseline and Week 12). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07665658, which also lists 7 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Jun 2026.

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Clinical Trial NCT07665658 | AzTrials