scholarly journals Neuropsychological functioning of individuals at clinical evaluation of adult ADHD

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana Guo ◽  
Anselm B. M. Fuermaier ◽  
Janneke Koerts ◽  
Bernhard W. Mueller ◽  
Katerina Diers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Clinical Evaluation ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Adhd Group ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
Clinical Comparison ◽  
Neuropsychological Impairments

Abstract Objectives Numerous studies showed that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suffer from impairments in a range of cognitive functions when compared to healthy controls. However, only little is known about the neuropsychological functions when compared to various clinical control groups and whether a distinct neuropsychological profile can be identified for adult ADHD. Method This retrospective study examined data of 199 outpatients referred for clinical evaluation of adult ADHD, allocated either to an ADHD group (n = 78) or to one of two clinical comparison groups, depending on whether they show indications (n = 71) or no indications (n = 50) for the presence of psychiatric disorders other than ADHD. All individuals performed a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Results Data analysis revealed impairments in a range of cognitive functions in a substantial number of patients of all three groups. However, profiles of neuropsychological impairments were similar between groups. Furthermore, significant small- to medium-sized correlations between basic and higher-order cognitive functions were revealed in the ADHD group and the clinical comparison group with indications for psychiatric disorders other than ADHD. Conclusion Neuropsychological impairments are prominent in psychiatric outpatients seeking a clinical evaluation of adult ADHD but are not specific for ADHD. It is concluded that neuropsychological test performance may have limited incremental value to support the psychiatric differential diagnosis. Furthermore, a clinical trajectory may need to take into account that deficits in a range of higher-order cognitive functions can be substantially explained by deficits in basic cognitive functions.

scholarly journals The Role of Self- and Informant-Reports on Symptoms and Impairments in the Clinical Evaluation of Adult ADHD

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4564
Author(s):  
Nana Guo ◽  
Anselm B. M. Fuermaier ◽  
Janneke Koerts ◽  
Bernhard W. Mueller ◽  
Christian Mette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Evaluation ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Adhd Group ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Comparison

Little is known about which clinical features may aid the differentiation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other clinical conditions. This study seeks to determine the role of self- and informant reports on symptoms and impairments in the clinical evaluation of adult ADHD and explore their association with objective neuropsychological test performance by examining data of 169 outpatients referred for a diagnostic evaluation of adult ADHD. Participants were assigned either to an ADHD group (ADHD, n = 73) or one of two clinical comparison groups, depending on whether they show indications (Clinical Comparison Group, CCG, n = 53) or no indications (Clinical Comparison Group—Not Diagnosed, CCG-ND, n = 43) of psychiatric disorders other than ADHD. All participants and their informants completed a set of questionnaires. Compared to the CCG-ND, the ADHD group obtained significantly higher scores on ADHD symptoms, impulsivity, cognitive deficits, and anxiety. Compared to the CCG, the ADHD group scored significantly higher on ADHD symptoms but lower on depression. Further regression analyses revealed that self- and informant reports failed to predict neuropsychological test performance. Self- and informant reported information may be distinct features and do not correspond to results of objective neuropsychological testing.

Neurocognitive Profiles in Childhood Absence Epilepsy

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dazhi Cheng ◽  
Xiuxian Yan ◽  
Zhijie Gao ◽  
Keming Xu ◽  
Xinlin Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Attention ◽  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Absence Epilepsy ◽  
Childhood Absence Epilepsy ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
And Gender

Although neuropsychological studies have demonstrated specific cognitive impairments in children with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), the potential role of the frontal lobe in these cognitive deficits remains unclear. We therefore evaluated cognitive functions related to and unrelated to the functionality of the frontal lobe in childhood absence epilepsy patients and control subjects. Thirty-seven childhood absence epilepsy patients and 37 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects were recruited and assessed using a computerized neuropsychological test battery. Childhood absence epilepsy patients, especially a drug-naïve subgroup, showed cognitive deficits in reasoning, visual attention, and executive function, which are typical cognitive functions of the frontal lobe. In contrast, treated childhood absence epilepsy patients only exhibited cognitive deficits in visual attention. There were no significant between-group differences for other cognitive tests. Our findings suggest that frontal lobe–related cognitive deficits represent the characteristic neuropsychological profile associated with childhood absence epilepsy.

A Review of Adult ADHD: A Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Perspective

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 355-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard F. Kaplan ◽  
Michael C. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Dopaminergic Transmission ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Current Thinking ◽  
Frontal Lobe Function

ABSTRACTAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder which effects an estimated 3% to 5% of children. Despite estimates that ADHD persists in 30% to 70% of adults having had the disorder in childhood, ADHD in adulthood remains controversial. This report summarizes current thinking in the diagnosis and etiology of adult ADHD. Most theories posit that ADHD is related to anomalies in frontal lobe function and dopaminergic transmission. However, there is debate as to whether ADHD is a unitary disorder with different manifestations, a syndrome, or multiple disorders. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, classifies ADHD into inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and combined subtypes. Although problems with cognition are core ADHD symptoms, self reporting has not been a reliable predictor of neuropsychological test performance. Nevertheless, we suggest that a performance-based diagnosis, including empirically derived, age-sensitive neuropsychological tests, provides the best hope of dissociating ADHD from psychiatric disorders with similar symptoms. We also describe the promise of new neuroimaging technologies, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, in elucidating the pathophysiology of ADHD and similar psychiatric disorders.

Pre-clinical evaluation of a virtual reality neuropsychological test system: Occurence of side effects

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tibor I. Kesztyues ◽  
M. Mehlitz ◽  
E. Schilken ◽  
G. Weniger ◽  
S. Wolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Clinical Evaluation ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Test System

EEG correlates of cognitive functions and neuropsychiatric disorders: A review of oscillatory activity and neural synchrony abnormalities

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meysam Amidfar ◽  
Yong-Ku Kim
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Spectral Power ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Brain Oscillations ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Background: A large body of evidence suggested that disruption of neural rhythms and synchronization of brain oscillations are correlated with variety of cognitive and perceptual processes. Cognitive deficits are common features of psychiatric disorders that complicate treatment of the motivational, affective and emotional symptoms. Objective: Electrophysiological correlates of cognitive functions will contribute to understanding of neural circuits controlling cognition, the causes of their perturbation in psychiatric disorders and developing novel targets for treatment of cognitive impairments. Methods: This review includes description of brain oscillations in Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder, attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder, major depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and autism. Results: The review clearly shows that the reviewed neuropsychiatric diseases are associated with fundamental changes in both spectral power and coherence of EEG oscillations. Conclusion: In this article we examined nature of brain oscillations, association of brain rhythms with cognitive functions and relationship between EEG oscillations and neuropsychiatric diseases. Accordingly, EEG oscillations can most likely be used as biomarkers in psychiatric disorders.

scholarly journals Neuropsychology and malnutrition: a study with 7 to 10 years-old children in a poor community

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mônica C. Miranda ◽  
Fernando J. Nóbrega ◽  
Kazue Sato ◽  
Sabine Pompéia ◽  
Elaine G. Sinnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Average Birth Weight ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Malnourished Children ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
Prenatal Malnutrition

OBJECTIVES: to compare the neuropsychological profile of eutrophic, stunted and chronically malnourished children, and to analyse the role of socio-economic factors on the cognitive development. METHODS: seven to 10 year-old girls and boys from a poor community in São Paulo were evaluated: 27 eutrophyc, 31 stunted and 15 chronically malnourished. Neuropsychological evaluation involved cognitive functions not fully assessed in this population, such as working, declarative and non-declarative memories, attention and executive functions. Socio-economic indicators, maternal mental health and the children's behaviour at school were also evaluated. RESULTS: malnourished children had a lower score on the vocabulary test than the eutrophic and stunted groups (p s<0.05), performed worse in the visuospatial working memory task (p = 0.01), were more anxious than the stunted (p = 0.006), and despite having lower average birth weight than eutrophic children (p = 0.01), only two children as had prenatal malnutrition. Stunted children exhibited no impairment. No differences in socio-economic variables were found among groups. CONCLUSIONS: chronic malnutrition was associated to impairment of expressive speech, visual-spatial short-term memory and increased anxiety. No effects were observed in intellectual abilities, executive functions, verbal working memory, long-term memory, nor in visuoconstructive function. Preservation of the latter cognitive functions can be attributed to adequate environmental conditions and the lack of overall prenatal malnutrition.

Neuropsychological Profile of Intellectually Gifted Children: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Aurélie Bucaille ◽  
Christophe Jarry ◽  
Justine Allard ◽  
Sylvain Brochard ◽  
Sylviane Peudenier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Verbal Working Memory ◽  
Social Problem Solving ◽  
Gifted Children ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
Intellectually Gifted ◽  
Visuospatial Processing

Abstract Objective: The term intellectually gifted (IG) refers to children of high intelligence, which is classically measured by the intelligence quotient (IQ). Some researchers assume that the cognitive profiles of these children are characterized by both strengths and weaknesses, compared with those of their typically developing (TD) peers of average IQ. The aim of the present systematic review was to verify this assumption, by compiling data from empirical studies of cognitive functions (language, motor skills, visuospatial processing, memory, attention and executive functions, social and emotional cognition) and academic performances. Method: The literature search yielded 658 articles, 15 of which met the selection criteria taken from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses model. We undertook a qualitative summary, to highlight any discrepancies between cognitive functions. Results: IG children exhibited better skills than TD children in a number of domains, including attention, language, mathematics, verbal working memory, shifting, and social problem solving. However, the two groups had comparable skills in visuospatial processing, memory, planning, inhibition, and visual working memory, or facial recognition. Conclusion: Although IG children may have some strengths, many studies have failed to find differences between this population and their TD peers on many other cognitive measures. Just like any other children, they can display learning disabilities, which can be responsible for academic underachievement. Further studies are needed to better understand this heterogeneity. The present review provides pointers for overcoming methodological problems and opens up new avenues for giftedness research.

scholarly journals Cognitive functions in young adults with generalized anxiety disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiara Leonard ◽  
Amitai Abramovitch
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Neuropsychological Battery ◽  
Compensatory Mechanisms ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackground:Anxiety and worry are central symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) that have been theorized to negatively impact cognitive functions. However, most of the research has focused on threat-related or emotionally-charged stimuli, and a surprisingly small number of investigations examined ‘cold’ cognitive functions using classic neuropsychological tests. Such investigations are particularly important given that some theoretical models suggest compensatory mechanisms associated with anxiety that in certain circumstances may result in intact performance. The aim of the present study is to assess the neuropsychological profile associated with GAD, using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery.Methods:A sample of 23 college students meeting criteria for DSM-5 GAD and 20 control participants completed a psychometrically valid comprehensive computerized neuropsychological battery and clinical questionnaires.Results:The GAD sample presented with significantly elevated symptomatic rates of anxiety, worry, depression and stress. However, no significant differences were found on any neuropsychological outcome measures or domain indexes. Effect sizes were small, some of which favored the GAD sample.Conclusion:Despite substantial psychopathological burden, GAD exhibited intact cognitive functioning. These results support the Cognitive Control Theory of Anxiety, suggesting that elevated primary anxiety may not impact ‘cold’ cognitive functions in the absence of threat or substantial cognitive load. Given that this is one of the only studies employing a comprehensive neuropsychological battery in GAD, more research is needed in this population to replicate these results and to examine the impact of anxiety on cognitive functions at varying degrees of cognitive load in this population.

ADHD and addictive disorders: What links?

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (S2) ◽  
pp. S28-S28
Author(s):  
M. Fatseas
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Complicated Course ◽  
Comprehensive Search ◽  
Relationship Of

The links between ADHD and addictive disorders have been the subject of a large number of studies showing a high prevalence rate of ADHD in substance abusing populations as well as an increased risk of substance use disorder (SUD) in ADHD patients that may be independent of other psychiatric conditions. High prevalence of ADHD has also been highlighted among individuals suffering from other addictive disorders such as pathological gambling. Adequate diagnosis of ADHD in SUD patients is challenged by phenomenological aspects of addiction and by frequently associated other psychiatric disorders that overlap with key symptoms of ADHD. A detailed comprehensive search for child and adult symptoms including the temporal relationship of ADHD, substance use and other psychiatric disorders should maximize the validity and the reliability of adult ADHD diagnosis in this population. Further, a follow-up evaluation of ADHD symptoms during treatment of SUD may reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis. Finally, it should be noticed that when SUD occurs with ADHD, it is associated with a greater severity of SUD compared to other SUD patients. This has been shown with an earlier age at onset, antisocial behavior, risk for depression, chronicity of substance use, need for hospitalization and likelihood of a complicated course. Recent data suggest that the effects of ADHD on SUD outcomes are independent of other psychiatric comorbidities. This highlights the need of an earlier implementation of preventive interventions for substance use or behavioral addiction in children/adolescents with ADHD and the necessity to consider this disorder in the treatment of addictive disorders. Benefices and risk of MPH in adult patients with addiction and ADHD are discussed.

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