ATTENTION-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic and debilitating condition, which can have a huge impact on the life of the individual and their family.

But pioneering research taking place at the University of Southampton could pave the way to changing how ADHD is understood and treated.

And local people are being called on to be a part of this groundbreaking work.

Inter-STAARS (Intervention in Studying Autism and ADHD Risks) is a new, NHS-approved study, which adopts a unique approach to early intervention for infants at risk of developing ADHD.

The research is investigating the effectiveness of early computerised attention training for infants thought to be at increased risk of developing the disorder.

The research is being conducted at the University of Southampton and Birkbeck University of London.

Heading up the Southampton team is Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke.

The professor in psychology and developmental psychopathology is visibly excited about the research and its potential.

Prof Edmund has been at the University for 27 years and has been researching ADHD since then. His other research includes the latest study on the widely publicised Romanian orphans but, he says, this research is something special.

"This is certainly one of the most exciting projects I've been involved in, in terms of its potential scope," he says.

"It could change the way ADHD is perceived and treated."

And he hopes that local people who think they may have ADHD in their family and have a young child will share his excitement at the chance to change the future of the condition's treatment.

"I think the thing that's really appealing is participating in something that's so important for science and potentially valuable for people with ADHD in the future," he says.

"Without this sort of pioneering research, the development of new treatments, which is absolutely essential, isn't going to happen."

The researchers are looking to recruit infants who are under 12 months old, which can include currently unborn children, and have a brother, sister or biological parent with ADHD or suspected ADHD.

The participants and their families have two all expenses paid trips to London at the beginning and end of a 12-week period, in which the team visit their home on a weekly basis, where the child watches computer-based animation.

Participants are randomly allocated to either a training condition, in which they use interactive games using eye-tracking technology, which allows them to control the events in the games, or a control group, which watches animations which have not been designed to affect attention.

Martin Ruddock, one of the researchers, says that the infants seem to really enjoy taking part and adds that their parents have reported the bonus of their little ones sleeping extremely well after participating!

He adds that the prospect of two family trips to London with overnight stay in a hotel is also appealing, although the main reason for people taking part seems to be recognising the huge potential value of the research.

Prof Edmund continues: "We have thought for a long time that creating effective interventions into ADHD would be helped if you could identify and treat children really early - before the problems have become very intense and difficult to shift, and when the brain is more open to influence.

"The question behind the project is how you can get in to intervene early enough to have these positive effects, when the earliest you can really diagnose ADHD is between three and five years old, by when it may be too late to have this kind of profound effect.

"Inter-STAARS is the first attempt ever to get in within the first year of life with children who are at risk of developing ADHD.

"It's a critical study, because if we can improve the underlying brain processes in children who are at risk from ADHD in this study, perhaps in a larger study, we can have an effect on the course of the disorder, perhaps even reducing the need for medication in the future."

The research was developed by Professor Mark Johnson at Birkbeck University, and his concept of a system of the brain which is crucial for the development of self-regulation underpins the study.

Prof Edmund says that despite what is sometimes reported in the media, ADHD is a very serious condition.

He understands how impairing it can be and how this can lead people to trying untested ways to potentially help their children.

"There are loads of crazy interventions out there for all sorts of things, that play on people's uncertainties about their kids, and we definitely don't want to go down that route," he says.

"You need to build up the science gradually. We're very focused on evidence-based practice."

But without families coming forward to take part, the research will grind to a halt.

"This is a revolutionary study," Prof Edmund adds.

"Without this first step, we'll never know if this kind of technology could be successful and relieve the suffering of what is a very serious condition. But we need to recruit families to take part!"

How to get involved

Professor Edmund and the team at the University of Southampton are looking for infants under 12 months old, with a close family member - a sibling or biological parent, with diagnosed or suspected ADHD to take part in the Inter-STAARS study.

It is not essential for the family member to have a formal diagnosis of ADHD as potential participants will be screened.

Infants taking part in the study will be randomly allocated to either a training condition or a control condition. In the training condition they will use interactive games, while in the control condition they will watch animations not designed to affect attention.

The training programme is completed at 12 weekly home visits, fitted around the family's schedule, which last around an hour each.

For more information and to sign up to the study, phone 023 8059 2655, email inter-staars@soton.ac.uk or visit staars.org and click on Inter-STAARS