C-43 The Relation Between Executive Functioning and Fluid Reasoning Performance in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1072-1072
Author(s):  
N Coultis ◽  
A Brown ◽  
E Heideman

Abstract Objective Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 5% of school-aged children.4 Fluid reasoning (FR) tasks assess one’s ability to detect underlying conceptual relationships and use reasoning to identify and apply rules to problem solve.4 Previous research has demonstrated that children with ADHD perform more poorly in FR, though the mechanism behind this is unclear.3,4 The literature suggests that FR is reliant on executive functioning skills such as inhibitory control, working memory, and planning.1,4 Therefore, this study examines how performance on FR from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V) is related to measures of executive functioning (EF) and attention in children with ADHD. Method Participants were children aged 8 to 16-years with ADHD (N = 75) referred for neuropsychological testing. Participant demographics: males (N = 50, 65.8%), females (N = 26, 34.2%); African American (5.3%), Asian (1.3%), Caucasian (52.6%), Other (39.5%). Measures included the WISC-V Fluid Reasoning Index (FRI), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) Color Word Identification (CWI) and Tower subtests, omissions/commissions on the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF) subscales. Results Bivariate correlations showed that the FRI was only significantly positively correlated with CWI Inhibition/Switching Time (r = .246, p = .047). Commission errors on the CPT approached significance (r = .217, p = .145). Conclusion The WISC-V FRI may be vulnerable to weaknesses in EF or behavioral control in children with ADHD and should be interpreted in that context. Findings suggest the FRI may be particularly impacted by weaknesses in inhibitory control.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. e97-e103
Author(s):  
Irene Rethemiotaki

AbstractAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly recognized chronic neurodevelopmental disorder. This work aims at studying the prevalence and clinical characteristics of children with ADHD in the United States in the period between 2009 and 2018. Data from the National Health Interview Survey were analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistics to assess the role of socioeconomic factors in the development of ADHD. It has been studied 615,608 children, 51.2% male and 48.7% female. The prevalence of ADHD was 9.13%, with males predominating over females. The number of children with ADHD increased from 2009 to 2018 by 14.8%. As specified by multiple logistic regression analysis, males (odds ratio [OR] 2.38) who have neither mother nor father (OR 1.76) are twice as likely to have ADHD compared with their peers. In addition, family income (OR 1.40) and parent's education (OR 1.12) were significantly associated with ADHD. It has been highlighted the significance of deprivation of both family and financial comfort as primary indicators for ADHD in children. Moreover, children with ADHD were more likely to be males in the age group of 12 to 17.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara H. Jaye ◽  
Cecil Levy ◽  
Jacob Majakwara ◽  
Sheri Hanson

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) disorder is a common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder. The symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention often become evident in a structured classroom setting. Teachers play a key role in identifying these features and referring these pupils for assessments.Aim: This study investigated the understanding and perceptions of ADHD amongst Foundation Phase teachers at independent schools in Johannesburg.Setting: This study was conducted at nine independent schools in the Johannesburg area.Methods: A total of 95 teachers filled out a standardised questionnaire, the Knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorders Scale (KADDS), which looks at three aspects of ADHD, namely, associated features, symptoms and treatment. The teachers also answered several demographic questions such as their sex, age, level of education, knowledge of a person outside the school with ADHD and confidence to teach a child with ADHD. An informal directed discussion group was conducted, which comprised 32 teachers who had filled in the questionnaire. Open-ended questions were asked during the discussion group.Results: The overall results were the highest obtained compared to similar previous studies. These teachers had a very good knowledge with regard to the symptoms of ADHD, they had a fair understanding about the treatment of ADHD and their knowledge about the associated features of ADHD was limited. Exposure to children with ADHD and higher number of ADHD workshops attended and ADHD articles read were beneficial to the teachers’ overall knowledge about ADHD. Years of experience and the age of the teacher were not associated with a greater knowledge about ADHD.Conclusion: Independent school Foundation Phase teachers displayed a good level of knowledge about ADHD. This knowledge was enhanced by continual ADHD education and exposure to children with ADHD.


Author(s):  
Annie Swanepoel

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is fraught with controversy. Some clinicians believe it is a biological neurodevelopmental disorder which should be treated with medication. Others are adamant that ADHD is a social construct in which children, who have suffered developmental trauma, are medicalised. Evolutionary science may help us find a solution to this dichotomy by seeing ADHD as an example of an evolutionary mismatch in which children with ADHD are caught in a school environment that does not suit their natures. By considering how to improve the ‘goodness of fit’ between the child and their environment, clinicians can be more flexible in finding solutions that are ethically sound.


2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Michelini ◽  
G. L. Kitsune ◽  
G. M. Hosang ◽  
P. Asherson ◽  
G. McLoughlin ◽  
...  

BackgroundIn adults, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder (BD) have certain overlapping symptoms, which can lead to uncertainty regarding the boundaries of the two disorders. Despite evidence of cognitive impairments in both disorders separately, such as in attentional and inhibitory processes, data on direct comparisons across ADHD and BD on cognitive–neurophysiological measures are as yet limited.MethodWe directly compared cognitive performance and event-related potential measures from a cued continuous performance test in 20 women with ADHD, 20 women with BD (currently euthymic) and 20 control women.ResultsThe NoGo-N2 was attenuated in women with BD, reflecting reduced conflict monitoring, compared with women with ADHD and controls (both p < 0.05). Both ADHD and BD groups showed a reduced NoGo-P3, reflecting inhibitory control, compared with controls (both p < 0.05). In addition, the contingent negative variation was significantly reduced in the ADHD group (p = 0.05), with a trend in the BD group (p = 0.07), compared with controls.ConclusionsThese findings indicate potential disorder-specific (conflict monitoring) and overlapping (inhibitory control, and potentially response preparation) neurophysiological impairments in women with ADHD and women with BD. The identified neurophysiological parameters further our understanding of neurophysiological impairments in women with ADHD and BD, and are candidate biomarkers that may aid in the identification of the diagnostic boundaries of the two disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 925-933
Author(s):  
Jeong Ha Park ◽  
Young Don Son ◽  
Yeni Kim ◽  
Doug Hyun Han

Objective We sought to determine if the links between and within the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attention network (DAT) exhibited different conditions according to catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphism in relationship to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.Methods Fifty-seven children with ADHD and 48 healthy controls (HCs) were administered an intelligence test, the Children’s Depression Inventory, the Korean ADHD rating scale, and continuous performance test. Resting-state brain functional MRI scans were obtained, and COMT genotyping was performed to distinguish valine carriers and methionine homozygotes.Results Compared to controls, children with ADHD showed increased ADHD scale scores, increased visual commission errors, and increased functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN and DAT. Compared to all children with ADHD, children with the methionine homozygote and those who were valine carriers showed increased FC within the DMN and DAT and decreased FC between the DMN and DAT. FC within the DMN was also increased in HC valine carriers compared to HC children with the methionine homozygote, and in children with ADHD who were valine carriers compared to HC valine carriers.Conclusion We observed increased brain connectivity within the DMN and DAT and altered brain connectivity within and between the DMN and DAT associated with COMT polymorphism in children with ADHD.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241352
Author(s):  
Kristin N. Meyer ◽  
Rosario Santillana ◽  
Brian Miller ◽  
Wes Clapp ◽  
Marcus Way ◽  
...  

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed psychological disorder of childhood. Medication and cognitive behavioral therapy are effective treatments for many children; however, adherence to medication and therapy regimens is low. Thus, identifying effective adjunct treatments is imperative. Previous studies exploring computerized training programs as supplementary treatments have targeted working memory or attention. However, many lines of research suggest inhibitory control (IC) plays a central role in ADHD pathophysiology, which makes IC a potential intervention target. In this randomized control trial (NCT03363568), we target IC using a modified stop-signal task (SST) training designed by NeuroScouting, LLC in 40 children with ADHD, aged 8 to 11 years. Children were randomly assigned to adaptive treatment (n = 20) or non-adaptive control (n = 20) with identical stimuli and task goals. Children trained at home for at least 5 days a week (about 15m/day) for 4-weeks. Relative to the control group, the treatment group showed decreased relative theta power in resting EEG and trending improvements in parent ratings of attention (i.e. decreases in inattentive behaviors). Both groups showed improved SST performance. There was not evidence for treatment effects on hyperactivity or teacher ratings of symptoms. Results suggest training IC alone has potential to positively impact symptoms of ADHD and provide evidence for neural underpinnings of this impact (change in theta power; change in N200 latency). This shows promising initial results for the use of computerized training of IC in children with ADHD as a potential adjunct treatment option for children with ADHD.


2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 544-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marijn Lijffijt ◽  
J. Leon Kenemans ◽  
Annemiek ter Wal ◽  
Elise H. Quik ◽  
C. Kemner ◽  
...  

AbstractPurposeThe effect of methylphenidate (MPH) on inhibitory control as assessed by the stop task in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could be influenced by task difficulty and may be mediated by attention.Subjects and methodsFifteen children with ADHD performed the stop and the change task after placebo, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg MPH in a within-subject design.ResultsLinear-trend analysis showed a similar effect of MPH in both tasks and a stronger effect for inhibitory control than for attention. Furthermore, a correlation was found between blood serum metabolites of norepinephrine and dopamine for attentional measures and inhibitory control measures, respectively.Discussion and conclusionIn children with ADHD MPH could act primarily on inhibitory control, and is not influenced by task difficulty. Also, attention and inhibitory control could have differential pharmacological profiles.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
I-Chun Chen ◽  
Chia-Ling Chen ◽  
Chih-Hao Chang ◽  
Zuo-Cian Fan ◽  
Yang Chang ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundEarly diagnosis and intervention is essential for children at risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For preschool-age children with ADHD, who have heterogeneous neurobehavioral deficits, the continuous performance test and quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) can facilitate clinical diagnosis. This study investigated EEG dynamics and task-based EEG coherence in preschoolers with ADHD, who exhibited varying cognitive proficiencies.MethodsThe participants comprised 54 preschoolers (aged 5–7 years), 18 and 16 of whom exhibited high and low cognitive proficiency (ADHD-H and ADHD-L, respectively). The remaining 20 children had typical development (TD). All the children underwent the Conners’ Kiddie Continuous Performance Test and wireless EEG recording under different task conditions (rest, fast, and slow). ResultsIn the slow-rate task condition, the task-related parietal delta power of preschoolers with ADHD-L was significantly higher than that of their peers with TD. In the fast-rate condition, the preschoolers with ADHD-L exhibited higher parietal delta and theta/beta ratio as well as lower parietal beta power than those with ADHD-H. Unlike those in the TD group, the alpha power values of the participants in both the ADHD groups declined from rest to the task conditions. Task- related EEG beta coherence was decreased in both ADHD groups, which were distinct with TD groups. ConclusionThe aforementioned findings suggest that task-related brain oscillations were related to cognitive proficiency in preschool children with ADHD. The novel wireless EEG system used was demonstrated to be convenient and highly suitable for clinical use in preschool children. The EEG profiles in the present study may contain specific neural biomarkers that can assist early detection, diagnosis, and clinical planning for the treatment of ADHD in preschool children.


Author(s):  
Kai-Shuen Pheh ◽  
Kit-Aun Tan ◽  
Normala Ibrahim ◽  
Sherina Mohd Sidik

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common neurodevelopmental disorder, often persists into adulthood. In Malaysia, the prevalence rate of hyperactivity symptoms is highest among Chinese Malaysians. There are limited evidence-based treatment options targeting the core symptoms of ADHD, as well as executive functioning. In addition, conventional psychotherapeutic approaches for adults with ADHD have been found to be highly labor-intensive. The present study will evaluate the effectiveness of an online mindfulness-based intervention to reduce inattention and hyperactivity–impulsivity and improve executive functioning among Chinese Malaysian college emerging adults with ADHD. Informed by established literature, we will design an 8-week online mindfulness-based intervention (i.e., iMBI). We will conduct a two-arm randomized controlled trial comparing an iMBI plus treatment-as-usual group (n = 54) and an enhanced treatment-as-usual control group (n = 54). Outcome measures of inattention, hyperactivity–impulsivity, and executive functioning will be collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 1-month post-intervention. The findings of the present study will not only demonstrate the implementation of iMBI as a new treatment modality but also inform practitioners on the effectiveness of iMBI in reducing the burden of adults living with ADHD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1047
Author(s):  
Alice Cade ◽  
Kelly Jones ◽  
Kelly Holt ◽  
Abdul Moiz Penkar ◽  
Heidi Haavik

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent, chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects oculomotor (eye movement) control. Dysfunctional oculomotor control may result in reading or educational difficulties. This randomized controlled crossover study sought to investigate the feasibility of a larger scale trial and effects of a single session of spinal manipulation on oculomotor control in children with ADHD. Thirty children participated in the study and were randomized into either control-first or spinal manipulation first groups. The results indicate that the trial was feasible. Secondary outcomes showed that there was a significant decrease in reading time after the spinal manipulation intervention compared to the control intervention. Future studies of the effects of spinal manipulation on oculomotor control in children with ADHD are suggested.


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