Pediatric Psychopharmacology & Adult ADHD Program

Dr. Joseph Biederman, an internationally renowned researcher who is regarded as the father of pediatric psychopharmacology and founder of the Pediatric Psychopharmacology & Adult ADHD Programs at Mass General, passed away in early January. His research revolutionized the fields of ADHD, Child Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology. By 2007, he was the most cited psychiatrist in all of medicine and one of the most productive researchers at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Biederman mentored countless clinical researchers at Mass General and internationally. We, his colleagues, are immensely grateful to have been taught by and practiced with him; we will strive to continue his legacy of innovation, scholarship, and fierce advocacy for patients and their families.

About the Program

The Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD Program at Massachusetts General Hospital takes a state-of-the-art approach to research into emotional and behavioral disorders that afflict the young. Through our research we strive to understand not only their clinical features, but also their causes, symptoms and neurological and genetic underpinnings.

Clinicians in our program specialize in medication management of all psychiatric disorders afflicting the young, with a special focus on:

• Pediatric mood and anxiety disorders
• Pediatric bipolar disorder
• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
• Child and adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

In addition to our young patients, we also work with adult patients suffering from certain psychiatric disorders, including ADHD and ASD. We also work closely with the Alan and Lorraine Bressler Clinical and Research Program to provide specialized care for young people with ASD.

Treatment through our research program includes an assessment of various treatment options for both children and adults, including:

• Pharmacological medications
• Natural products
• Psychological treatments
• Novel therapeutic opportunities, such mindfulness and photo-modulation

Our Research

The Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD Program relies on a variety of methodologies to collect data for a better understanding of the psychiatric disorders afflicting the young. Contact us to learn enroll in a study.

Neuroimaging Research

Our neuroimaging program uses a variety of technologies to gain insight into the brain systems underlying childhood psychiatric conditions. With non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we can analyze brain volumes, brain function, cortical thickness, the integrity of white matter tracts and brain biochemistry among others. We also use positron emission tomography (PET), to measure the flow of different substances (including drugs or oxygen) in the brain and Magnetic Encephalography (MEG) to assess electrophysiology.

Our neuroimaging research focuses on the following topics:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan
• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
• Children at risk for mood disorders
• Predicting response to medication treatment using neuroimaging
• Genetic imaging
• Emotional dysregulation
• Early detection of emotional disorders

Preclinical Research Program: Animal Models

We use rodent research to understand the neural basis of common disorders such as ADHD, traumatic brain injury and PTSD, as well as to gain better understanding of the mechanisms of action and adverse effects of stimulant medications on brain structure and function at cellular, molecular and system levels. Animal models offer unprecedented insight into the mechanisms of drug action in the central nervous system and permit us to design and develop novel safe and highly effective, novel treatments for ADHD and other neuropsychiatric conditions.

Cognition Research

Cognition is a central aspect of human functioning that affects all individuals regardless of their psychiatric diagnosis. Therefore, understanding the cognitive processes of those suffering from emotional and behavioral disorders can be enormously helpful in making recommendations for education, vocation and therapeutic interventions. Our cognition research strives to find commonalities and differences in individuals afflicted with the different disorders we study. Our studies on executive functions (the part of the brain that assists with attention, impulsivity, planning and organization) have been especially fruitful in helping show the impact of cognition on functional outcomes.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Research

Our ADHD Research Program conducts research on all aspects of the disorder with a focus on the clinical course, neurobiology and treatment across the lifecycle. This includes research on both children and adults with ADHD, as well as long-term follow-up studies examining the course of the disorder as children mature into adulthood.

Our ADHD research focuses on the following topics:

• Emotional regulation in ADHD
• Executive function in ADHD
• Ways to improve adherence to treatment
• Predicting responses to medication treatment using neuroimaging
• Concussions and their relationship to ADHD
• PTSD and its relationship to ADHD
• New treatments for ADHD and related symptoms
• Mindfulness for stress reduction in ADHD

A very important aspect of our work is conducting studies of comorbid (co-occurring) psychiatric and cognitive disorders afflicting individuals of all ages with ADHD, as well as genetic and neuroimaging research on ADHD across the lifecycle. We investigate the safety and efficacy of new treatments for ADHD and its associated conditions. Our program publishes dozens of scientific articles on ADHD every year.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Research

Our program conducts research on all aspects on ASD, including treatment, genetics and comorbid disorders. We focus on research that can improve the lives of individuals (both children and adults) with high-functioning autism. By better understanding the neurobiology, the lifetime course of autism and co-occurring disorders, we are able use findings from this research to improve the care for people with ASD. In addition, we investigate the efficacy of new and old treatments for autism-related symptoms.

Our ASD research focuses on the following:

• Neuroimaging to better understand brain function in individuals with autism
• Genetics of autism
• ADHD and autism
• Anxiety and autism
• Social cognition in people with autism
• Cognitive rigidity in autism
• Treatments for autism-related symptoms

For more information on ASD, visit the Bressler Clinical and Research Program for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder Research

Our pediatric bipolar disorder research focuses on early identification, screening and understanding of risks for mood disorders and treatment of these disorders. Through this research we aim to improve the lives of children and families coping with pediatric bipolar disorder and improve care for individuals struggling with mood disorders.

A particular area of interest in our research is in understanding what puts children at risk for developing mood disorders. Using neuroimaging and genetics, we examine children and siblings who have been diagnosed with a bipolar spectrum disorder and children with early symptoms of mood disorders (such as difficulties regulating emotions). In addition, we investigate the effectiveness of new and old treatments for children with mood disorders.

Our current research focuses on the following:

• Natural treatments for children with mood disorders
• Neuroimaging to understand who may be at risk for developing mood disorders
• Medication treatment in children with mood disorders

Our Specialists

Atilla Ceranoglu, MD – Child and Adult Psychiatrist
Ronna Fried, EdD – Director of Neuropsychology Program
Lynn Grush, MD – Child and Adult Psychiatrist
Gagan Joshi, MD – Director of Autism Spectrum Disorders Program
Jane Lanier, MD – Child and Adult Psychiatrist
Craig Surman, MD – Scientific Coordinator of Adult ADHD Program
Timothy Wilens, MD – Director of Substance Abuse Program
Janet Wozniak, MD – Director of Pediatric Bipolar Program
Mai Uchida, MD – Child and Adult Psychiatrist
Carrie Vaudreuil, MD – Child and Adult Psychiatrist
Amy Yule, MD – Child and Adult Psychiatrist

Collaborators

Steve Faraone, PhD – Senior Scientific Advisor
Pradeep Bhide, PhD – Professor, Florida State University College of Medicine
John Gabrieli, PhD – Director, Athinoula A. Martinos Imaging Center at the McGovern Institute at MIT
Staci Gruber, PhD – Director, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core at McLean Hospital’s Brain Imaging Center
Robert Doyle, DDS, MD – Psychiatrist
Jefferson B. Prince, MD – Psychiatrist

Mass General Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program
Mass General Psychiatric Neuroimaging Division
McLean Hospital
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Program Staff

Stefani Callinan – Assistant to Dr. Spencer and Dr. Joshi
Victoria Chippari – Assistant to Dr. Wilens
Maura Fitzgerald, MPH – Biostatistician Epidemiologist
Maribel Galdo, LICSW – Clinical Social Worker/Business Administrator
Philia Henderson – Patient Services Coordinator
Daniel Kaufman – Data Coordinator
Yvonne Woodworth – Assistant to Dr. Biederman