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RACCOON Study: Research on Rhythmic Auditory-Motor Coordination in Neurodevelopment

"The Raccoon Study" logo of raccoon holding music note

The Arnett Lab is currently enrolling 7-11 year-old children with and without ADHD. The goal of this study is to examine the brain mechanisms underlying rhythmic timing abilities in children with and without ADHD. We are using non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) and neuropsychological testing to investigate auditory-perceptual and motor development in school-age children. Funding for the RACCOON Study is provided to Drs. Arnett and Pranjić by the GRAMMY Museum Foundation.

General Information about Participation

  • Your family may be eligible to participate if you have a child who is 7-11 years old.
  • The goal of our study is to learn more about how brain activity relates to auditory-perceptual and motor skills in children with and without ADHD.
  • We are recruiting children with ADHD or children who would benefit from an ADHD evaluation, as well as children without ADHD symptoms (i.e., healthy controls).
  • First step: Caregiver completes a 10-minute screening phone call.
  • After that, your child may be invited to complete an in-person research visit at our laboratory at Two Brookline Place.
  • Child’s caregivers may be asked to complete a phone/video or in-person interview with a clinician (30-60 minutes) and complete questionnaires (20-30 minutes).

Information about the In-person Visit

  • The visit will last about 3-4 hours and will take place at our laboratory at Two Brookline Place.
  • We will give you parking validation or reimbursement for public transportation.
  • During the visit, your child will complete an EEG (electroencephalogram), which is a non-invasive way of measuring brain activity.
  • During the visit, we will complete a neuropsychological assessment (cognitive and behavioral) and motor testing with your child.

More Information about EEG

  • EEG is painless and non-invasive.
  • During the EEG, we put a cap (similar to a swim cap) on your child’s head while your child watches videos, listens to sounds, and plays simple games.
  • You can take pictures and see your child’s brain waves.
  • The EEG lasts about an hour.

More Information about the Neuropsychological and Motor Testing

  • We will measure your child’s general cognitive and motor development, and academic skills.
  • A licensed clinical psychologist will use test results and behavioral observations of your child, as well as information from the clinical interviews and questionnaires to determine whether your child meets criteria for relevant clinical diagnoses, such as ADHD or developmental coordination disorder.
  • You will be provided with a written report about your child’s performance on cognitive and motor tests, as well as results of the diagnostic assessment. This report can be sent directly to your child’s primary care provider if you choose. If applicable, the report will also include relevant diagnoses and recommendations tailored to your child.

Compensation

  • $40 for the research visit
  • Reimbursement for parking or public transportation
  • Toys/prizes for your child

Please contact us at ArnettLab@childrens.harvard.edu or call 617-919-7771 to learn more! By calling or emailing, you are not agreeing to participate. Your decision to enroll is completely voluntary and if you do decide to enroll, you may drop out of the study at any time.