The Effects of Methylphenidate and Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Inhibitory Control in Children With ADHD

A single dose of 5-10 mg of immediate release MPH (Ritalin®) will be administered in line with NICE and AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) guidelines for ADHD treatment.

Anodal electrode will be positioned over the left dlPFC, according to the 10-20 EEG on the sites corresponding F3, whereas the reference electrode will be placed above the contralateral supraorbital area, corresponding to Fp2. In the active tDCS condition, the current will increase slowly during the first 30 seconds to 1 mA (ramp-up) and, at the end of the stimulation, the current will decrease slowly to 0 mA during the last 30 seconds (ramp-down). Between the ramp-up and ramp-down constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes, with a density of 0.04 mA/cm2.

In the sham tDCS condition, the stimulation will be delivered by using the same active tDCS montage, respectively left-anodal dlPFC and right-reference electrode over Fp2. Stimulation intensity will be set at 1 mA, but the current will be applied for 30 seconds and will be ramped down without the participants' awareness.