Precision Psychiatry and ADHD: A New Frontier in Clinical Trials

In this blog companion to Alan Ogden’s recent podcast episode, we dive deep into the ongoing expansion of precision psychiatry—specifically how innovative platforms and pilot studies are moving into uncharted territory with ADHD. Alan explores the ways these research-backed, personalized treatment protocols are shaping clinical trials and what this could mean for the future of mental health care, especially for ADHD patients. Whether you’re a clinician, individual facing ADHD, or just curious about the next generation of psychiatric innovation, understanding the precision psychiatry approach is crucial. Let’s break down the key concepts and actionable steps from Alan’s expert conversation.

Platform Expansion: Bringing Precision Medicine to Psychiatry

Alan’s conversation with Dr. Talia Cohen-Salal, CEO and co-founder of NeuroCare, illuminates the cutting-edge methods now available in precision psychiatry. According to Dr. Cohen-Salal, the fundamental shift is moving away from traditional trial-and-error prescriptions, towards matching the right drug to the right patient—based on their unique biology. Alan points out, “The premise is matching the right drug to the right patient instead of a patient trying to get better at the drug that isn’t suited to their biology. We create that pairing and help patients get better faster.”

At the heart of NeuroCare’s approach is a simple yet powerful process. As described in the episode:

Blood Draw & Cellular Modeling: Every patient provides a blood sample, which is then converted to stem cells and further differentiated into neurons. This creates a “window into the brain” for that specific individual.
Drug Response Testing: Various antidepressants and psychiatric medications are tested directly on the patient’s neurons—“on that brain in a dish instead of in the patient’s brain,” as Alan summarizes. This removes risky guesswork and aims for faster, more effective outcomes.
Reporting & Recommendations: A concise report is generated, indicating which drug has the most pronounced impact on the patient’s brain biology, helping clinicians select treatment with unprecedented precision.

Alan highlights how this approach steps away from the rigid categories typical in mental health (“like depression and Alzheimer’s obviously have been divided into separate sort of categories”) and instead treats “every individual as a unique individual and see which drug would be right for them. So there’s six billion different outcomes.”

Another crucial element of the platform is pharmacogenomics. As Alan explains, NeuroCare includes a genetic report alongside the neuronal readout, which “allows you to combine not just which drug is best, but also help understand how your lipid metabolism enzymes are going to process those drugs as well.” This means patients and clinicians gain extra insight on how the brain and body interact with medications—potentially minimizing side effects and non-response.

ADHD Clinical Trials: Expanding the Focus

So, how does precision psychiatry apply to ADHD? While the episode primarily references depression and PTSD, Alan notes the broader strategy: “We think it’s not just that there’s a few broad categories. We think that every individual is unique…” This philosophy is now being expanded into ADHD clinical research.

Personalized Assessment: Using brain-in-a-dish models, clinicians can test ADHD medications—such as stimulants, non-stimulants, and other psychotropic drugs—directly on the patient’s neurons, seeking the best match for each individual.
Pilot Studies & Validation: While Alan mentions that validation studies have chiefly been conducted in depression, he notes that many drugs used in depression—especially antidepressants—overlap with those used for ADHD and PTSD. This opens the door for pilot studies and upcoming clinical trials targeting ADHD with the same personalized approach.
Regulatory Considerations: Alan raises key logistical questions about geographic access. Currently, regulatory approval exists in the United States, so international patients may need to travel for the test. He emphasizes that “it’s important that it’s regulatory approved in the site where the blood was drawn.” This will shape how and where future ADHD clinical trials and personalized assessments roll out.

The ADHD trials aren’t just limited to medication; they also factor in genetic profiling, drug metabolism, and neurobiology. Alan shares his perspective: “We are adding some pharmacogenetics to that in the next couple of months, but certainly not to the extent of the protocol that you’re doing.” As precision psychiatry platforms further integrate pharmacogenetics and neuronal testing, ADHD treatment may soon become more science-driven and individualized than ever before.

What This Means for Mental Health Care

Alan reflects on the scope of psychiatric medication use, discussing both the high demand and frequent mismatches in treatment: “I can’t even begin to number the prescriptions that I handed out to people and they come back with a quarter half full bottle or maybe even more. And no, this can’t take this. It’s not working for me. It’s making me feel worse.” This illustrates the need for smarter protocols—especially for ADHD, where medication response can vary widely.

Alan explains that many clinical protocols treat mental health as a series of categories, but precision psychiatry recognizes every individual’s biological and genetic uniqueness. As this platform expands to ADHD, patients may see:

Faster, safer, and more effective treatment matching
Reduced trial-and-error, side effects, and failed drug regimens
Integration of pharmacogenomics for metabolism insight
Greater understanding of brain and genetic markers influencing ADHD

Alan also raises the critical importance of detection and intervention. He comments on the prevalence of depression and anxiety medications, especially among women, and suggests that “there is a tremendous need for some kind of mind altering medication for quite a sizable portion of the population.” Although these numbers reference depression and anxiety, the need for precise ADHD interventions likely mirrors this trend.

The Road Ahead: How-To Approach Precision Psychiatry for ADHD

Consult with Physicians Familiar with Precision Psychiatry: Ask about options for brain-in-a-dish testing, pharmacogenomic screening, and personalized reports when considering ADHD medication.
Stay Informed on Clinical Trials: With pilot studies and planned trials underway, keep an eye on research sites, precision medicine startups, and academic centers leading this charge.
Explore Regulatory Pathways: Alan describes that U.S. regulatory approval is key for NeuroCare’s platform; if you’re outside the U.S., check with your provider about access and regulatory status.
Include Genetic and Metabolic Testing: As Alan points out, integrating genetics and metabolism data alongside neuronal response testing is fundamental for next-level personalization.
Advocate for Your Unique Biology: The emerging ethos in precision psychiatry is “six billion different outcomes.” Ask your provider to treat your ADHD as unique, not just a category.

Conclusion: Precision Psychiatry, ADHD, and the Future of Individualized Care

Alan Ogden’s podcast reveals a transformative moment in psychiatric medicine. Precision psychiatry—and platforms like NeuroCare—are moving beyond depression and PTSD, with ADHD clinical trials on the horizon. The approach offers a high-resolution look at each patient’s brain and genes, aiming to match treatments with unparalleled accuracy. If you or a loved one are navigating ADHD, this new frontier may unlock safer, more effective paths to well-being—without the frustrations of trial-and-error or generic prescriptions.

Ready to learn more about precision psychiatry platforms, ADHD clinical trials, or personalized genetic testing? Subscribe to Alan’s podcast for ongoing updates, and speak to your provider about emerging options tailored to your unique biology. The future of ADHD care may be closer—and more precise—than ever before.