FY2016 Annual Report

Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit
Professor Gail Tripp

Abstract

The research of the Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit continues to focus on advancing understanding of the nature and causes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and translating this knowledge into effective management programs. We are investigating the nature and etiology of altered reward sensitivity in children and adults with ADHD using behavioral, pharmacological and imaging approaches here in Japan and with our collaborators in New Zealand and Brazil. This work will inform both behavioral and pharmacological interventions. We are also studying the language and social problem solving skills of children with ADHD to increase understanding of the nature of their social difficulties to identify appropriate intervention targets. Our work developing culturally appropriate parenting interventions for Japanese parents has moved forward to a randomized control trial.

1. Staff

  • Dr. Emi Furukawa, Group Leader
  • Dr. Shizuka Shimabukuro, Researcher
  • Dr. Kelly Carrasco, Research Unit Technician
  • Dr. Chi-Ching Chuang, Research Unit Technician
  • Shoko Nagatomo, Technical Staff
  • Ryoko Uchida, Technical Staff
  • Emi Nakanishi, Technical Staff (part time)
  • Aya Puca, Research Unit Administrator

2. Collaborations

2.1 Altered reward sensitivity and its relationship to ADHD and other pathological conditions 

  • Description: Imaging (fMRI) and behavioral studies examining neural responses to reward anticipation and delivery, and effects of medication in ADHD and other disorders of impulse control. 
  • Type of collaboration: Joint research
  • Researchers:
    • Professor Jorge Moll, MD., Ph.D., D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR)
    • Professor Paulo Mattos, MD., Ph.D., IDOR
    • Professor Jeff Wickens, OIST
    • Dr. Emi Furukawa, OIST

2.2 Altered reward sensitivity in children and adults with ADHD

  • Description: Currently analyzing behavioral data collected on computer-based tasks designed to assess sensitivity to changing reward contingencies (signal detection) and punishment (matching law). A pilot study is underway to measure physiological responses to reward anticipation and delivery. 
  • Type of collaboration: Joint research
  • Researchers:
    • Egas Caparelli-Daquer, MD., Ph.D., University of State of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)
    • Dr. Emi Furukawa, OIST

2.3 Altered reward sensitivity in children and adults with ADHD

  • Description: Completed analyzing behavior data collected with English-speaking children on computer-based behavioral tasks designed to assess sensitivity to changing reward contingencies (signal detection) and punishment (matching law). Currently collecting data and developing new paradigms to examine other aspects of reward, such as effects of reward delay on learning.  
  • Type of collaboration: Joint research
  • Researchers:
    • Dr. Brent Alsop, Otago University
    • Dr. Emi Furukawa, OIST
    • Dr. Shizuka Shimabukuro, OIST

2.4 Supporting Japanese mothers of children with ADHD

  • Description: Completed a Proof-of-Concept study and initiated a randomized control trial of a Japanese adaptation of the New Forest Parenting Programme (NFPP-J) with Japanese mothers of children with ADHD.  
  • Type of collaboration: Joint research
  • Researchers:
    • Professor David Daley, University of Nottingham, UK
    • Dr. Shizuka Shimabukuro, OIST

3. Activities and Findings

3.1 Data collection at the Children's Research Center (CRC) in Okinawa

We have continued to collect data with Japanese-speaking and English-speaking children with ADHD in Okinawa. Data collection involves detailed clinical assessments of children's behavior. Multiple computer-based behavioral tasks examining sensitivity to different reward structures have been developed and used for data collection. Parent training programs with Japanese families and related data collection are ongoing. We have extended earlier research evaluating the social problem-solving skills of children with ADHD to include detailed assessments of the children's language skills to evaluate to their contributions to social difficulties.

We hosted 1 interns this year from Northeastern University who observed and assisted in aspects of data collection and participated in other research activities at CRC.  

3.2 ADHD and Dopamine Transfer Deficit (DTD)  

In the first collaborative imaging study with IDOR, we demonstrated a reciprocal dissociation in ADHD vs. Control group, using a classical conditioning paradigm modeled on animal studies (Furukawa et al., 2014). ADHD participants showed increased striatal blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) responses to reward delivery (US), but not to reward-predicting cues (CS), while the reverse pattern was observed in the Control participants. The BOLD response patterns observed in the striatum are consistent with impaired predictive dopamine signaling in ADHD as hypothesized in DTD. Currently, data collection is underway to examine the effects of medication on the reward-related striatal responses as well as possible link between the impaired acquisition of conditioned reinforcers and the reduced behavioral efficiency in individuals with ADHD. We are also developing a pilot study to measure the effectiveness of classical conditioning in individuals through the changes in physiological responses in collaboration with UERJ.  

3.3 Behavioral sensitivity to punishment and changing reward contingencies

We have been collecting data to examine whether children with ADHD demonstrate altered sensitivity to un-signaled changes in reinforcement availability and to unequal rates of punishment, using signal detection and matching law methodologies respectively, in collaboration with Dr. Alsop at University of Otago. Results show that children with ADHD are sensitive to positive reinforcement but demonstrate reduced efficiency in tracking changes in reinforcement availability. In a separate study, we have found that the behavior of children with ADHD are controlled more by the cumulative effects of punishment, relative to modulating effects of reward, compared to typically developing children. These results point to the importance of providing clear, explicit positive reinforcement and reducing extended use of punishment in the management of behavior for children with ADHD. Manuscripts documenting these results have been accepted for publication. We are currently preparing manuscripts demonstrating cross-national continuity of reduced sensitivity to changing reward contingencies, and increased sensitivity to punishment.

3.4 Supporting Japanese mothers of children with ADHD

Following up on our successful Proof-of-Concept study we have initiated a randomized control trial of a Japanese adaptation of the New Forest Parenting Programme (NFPP-J) with Japanese mothers of children with ADHD. The results of the Proof-of-Concept study indicate participating in the initial version of NFPP-Japan was associated with reductions in the children's ADHD symptoms and aggression, more effective parenting practices, and reduced parenting stress. A manuscript describing the results of this study has been submitted.

4. Publications

4.1 Journals

  1. Alsop, B., Furukawa, E., Sowerby, P., Jensen, S., Moffat, C. & Tripp, G. (2016). Behavioral sensitivity to changing reinforcement contingencies in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 57, 947-956.

4.2 Books and other one-time publications

Nothing to report

4.3 Oral and Poster Presentations

  1. Reward, punishment and ADHD: An overview of behavioral effects and brain mechanisms. 4th EUNETHYDIS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADHD. Berlin – Germany, October, 2016. Tripp, G.
  1. The New Forest Parenting Programme: Solutions for Working with a Japanese Population. 4th EUNETHYDIS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADHD. Berlin – Germany, October, 2016. Shimabukuro, S & Tripp, G.
  1. Altered sensitivity to reinforcement of children with ADHD: Theory, behavior and parenting. 日本LD学会 第25回大会( Japan Academy of Learning Disorders, 25th Annual Conference), Yokohama, Japan, November, 2016. Symposium: organized by Furukawa, E., 3 talks in English and Japanese by Tripp G., Furukawa E., Shimabukuro S., facilitator Shishido, Y., & discussant Sasaki, T.
  1. Behavioral effects of ADHD override cultural differences in punishment sensitivity. 4th EUNETHYDIS International Conference on ADHD. Berlin – Germany, October, 2016. Furukawa, E., Alsop, B., Caparelli-Dáquer, E., Casella, B. , Shimabukuro, S. , Queiroz, P. , Costa, R. , Galvão, P., Benevides, L. , Jucá-Vasconcelos, H. , Sowerby, P. , Jensen, S., Tripp, G.
  1. Emotional Reactivity in Children with ADHD: Implications for Social and Emotional Functioning in the School Setting. 4th EUNETHYDIS International Conference on ADHD. Berlin – Germany, October, 2016. Vorderstrasse, V., Furukawa, E., and Tripp, G.
  1. Examining the power of Pavlovian cues on human behavior. World Congress on Brain, Behavior & Emotions. Buenos Aires, June 2016. Cost, R. Q. M., Furukawa, E., Tripp, G., Hoefle, S., Moll, J., Mattos, P.

5. Intellectual Property Rights and Other Specific Achievements

Nothing to report

6. Meetings and Events

6.1 Understanding and managing ADHD: A practical guide for parents.

  • Date: March, 2017
  • Venue: Yomitan, Okinawa, Japan
  • Speaker: Prof. Gail Tripp & Dr. Shizuka Shimabukuro (OIST)

6.2 ADHD in school setting

  • Date: February, 2017
  • Venue: Okinawa Christian School International, Yomitan, Okinawa, Japan
  • Speaker: Prof. Gail Tripp (OIST)

6.3 Understanding and managing ADHD – for entering school

  • Date: February, 2017
  • Venue: Hirayasu Yochien (kindergarten), Nakagusuku Village, Okinawa, Japan
  • Speaker: Ms. Shoko Nagatomo (OIST)

6.4 ADHD in school setting

  • Date: January, 2017
  • Venue: Zukeran Elementary School, Okinawa, Japan
  • Speaker: Prof. Gail Tripp (OIST)

6.5 Recent advances in understanding ADHD

  • Date: November 27, 2016
  • Venue: OIST Open Campus, Okinawa
  • Speaker: Prof. Gail Tripp (OIST)

7. Other

Nothing to report.