POND’s clinical trials network for neurodevelopmental disorders is revolutionizing study design and research standards.

The Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders Network (POND), one of OBI’s Integrated Discovery Programs, is reshaping the future of care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). By centering its research and clinical trials on the needs of patients and families, POND is advancing personalized treatments that address the unique challenges posed by these conditions. This approach leverages a distinctive framework that explores both commonalities and differences across various NDDs.

POND’s scope covers a wide range of conditions including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome, and many rare genetic syndromes such as Rett syndrome, and Fragile X syndrome, among many. While these disorders often share biological mechanisms – such as genetic risk factors, neural connectivity disruptions, and cognitive or brain alterations – POND’s research has uncovered important individual variations in how these conditions present and appear in each person. These findings are driving the network's mission to develop tailored treatments that fit each child’s unique needs.