Joel Nigg

Director, Division of Psychology
Oregon Health and Science University

Dr. Nigg’s research focuses on the underlying mechanisms and causes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan. The primary focus is on cognitive and neuropsychological mechanisms. However, studies of genetics, family dynamics, personality and temperament, environmental toxins, and neuroimaging of ADHD are also ongoing.

From this contributor

Spectrum from The Transmitter.
Spectrum

Insights for autism from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

By Joel Nigg
7 February 2012 | 8 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Stock photo of a group of neurons.
Systems neuroscience

Finding neuroheterogeneity’s sweet spot

Once thought to be detrimental to memory processing, neuronal diversity—at the right ‘Goldilocks’ dose—is a new boon to theoretical neuroscience.

By Natalia Mesa
20 October 2026 | 7 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.
Spectrum

COVID-19 and influenza effects in pregnancy; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 19 October.

By Jill Adams
20 October 2026 | 2 min read
Illustration of a person standing in a crumbling room with papers and strings on the wall, a fallen chair, and a lamp.
Methods

What to do when traditional mechanistic approaches no longer work

Many complex behaviors have stubbornly resisted mechanistic explanations. Deciphering them will require new approaches—and perhaps a new concept of “understanding.”

By Bence Ölveczky
19 October 2026 | 8 min read