Excitation–inhibition dynamics underlying cognitive function in ADHD

ADHD is characterised by alterations in attention, impulse control, and decision-making, yet the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Converging evidence points to disruptions in excitation–inhibition (E/I) dynamics as a candidate mechanism, but how these alterations shape cognitive function in humans is not well established. This project will investigate the role of E/I dynamics in ADHD using a mechanistic, pharmacological approach. Combining controlled drug administration with high-density EEG and computational modelling, the project will quantify how pharmacological perturbations influence neural activity, inferred decision parameters, and behavioural performance in individuals with ADHD. Rather than treating E/I as a global or static property, the project will examine how its effects depend on task demands, circuit context, and individual variability within ADHD. By integrating neurophysiological measures with computational models, the project aims to identify how specific alterations in E/I dynamics contribute to differences in attention, response control, and decision processes. By moving beyond descriptive accounts, this work seeks to establish a circuit-informed, mechanistic framework for ADHD, with direct implications for the development of targeted, personalised interventions. PhD candidates will receive training in clinical cognitive neuroscience, advanced EEG analysis, computational modelling, and pharmacological methods within a collaborative and internationally connected research environment. This project is ideally suited to students interested in translational neuroscience, computational psychiatry, and causal approaches to brain–behaviour relationships.