Improving ADHD Symptoms and Quality of Life Through Diet

Sponsor
University College Cork
Study ID
NCT07376746
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 50 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Combined diet — OTHER
    Participants will receive dietary education to increase their fibre intake to 25-30g/day and include 3 to 4 portions of fermented foods to their normal diet.

Study Details

The goal of this randomised controlled trial is to evaluate whether a specific dietary intervention can reduce core symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults aged 18 to 50 years. The study also aims to understand how changes in diet may influence quality of life, neurocognitive function, and gut-brain signaling through the microbiota. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does a high-fiber, fermented food-based diet reduce ADHD core symptoms over a 12-week period, as measured by the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)? 2. Does the diet improve neurocognitive function, mood, food reward, individual goals, and other quality-of-life outcomes? 3. How does the diet affect gut microbial composition, inflammation, and stress-related biomarkers? 4. Is the diet well-accepted and feasible to follow? Researchers will compare a combination intervention diet (high in fiber and fermented foods) to a control diet based on general healthy eating guidelines to assess differences in symptom improvement and biological outcomes. Participants will: 1. Complete six study visits over a 24-week period (screening, baseline, weeks 4, 8, 12, and optional follow-up at week 24). 2. Be randomly assigned to one of two dietary groups after baseline assessments. 3. Provide stool, saliva, urine, and blood samples at multiple timepoints. 4. Undergo cognitive testing and EEG recording to assess brain function. 5. Wear a wristband to track sleep and activity patterns. 6. Use a nutrition app to log dietary intake and receive weekly dietary support. 7. Complete validated questionnaires on ADHD symptoms, mood, eating behavior, gastrointestinal health, sleep, and lifestyle factors. Feasibility and acceptability of following the diet will also be self-reported. This study includes both adults diagnosed with ADHD and matched controls without a psychiatric condition to better understand the mechanisms and potential differential responses to dietary intervention.

Key Dates

First listed
Jan 29, 2026
Start date
Feb 28, 2026
Status verified
Feb 2026
Primary completion
Sep 30, 2027
Completion
May 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
200 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

  • Experimental: No ADHD/Combined Diet
    Participants without ADHD will receive a combined diet (fermented foods and high fiber)
  • No Intervention: No ADHD/Control diet
    Participants without ADHD will receive dietary education based on the healthy eating guidelines provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
  • No Intervention: ADHD/Control diet
    Participants with ADHD will receive dietary education based on the healthy eating guidelines provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
  • Experimental: ADHD/Combined diet
    Participants with ADHD will receive a combined diet (fermented foods and high fiber)

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in ADHD core symptoms [ Time Frame: From baseline to 12 weeks ]

Central Contacts

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