An EEG Study of Children With and Without ADHD Symptoms: Between-Group Differences and Associations With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms

Objective: We examined differences between those with and without ADHD symptoms on resting state electroencephalography (EEG) indices and unique relations with sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms. Method: Children with ADHD symptoms ( n = 21) and healthy controls ( n = 20) were assessed using rating scales, a neuropsychological task measuring sustained attention and inhibitory control, and EEG activity during a resting state period. Between-group, correlational, and regression analyses were conducted. Results: Large differences (particularly for theta/beta ratio in frontal and frontocentral regions) were found on EEG measures between those with and without ADHD symptoms. While ADHD and SCT symptoms both related to sustained attention on a computerized task, only ADHD symptoms were related to frontal and frontocentral theta/beta ratio. Conclusion: Results support the conclusion that ADHD symptoms are strongly associated with theta/beta ratio in frontal and frontocentral regions. Future studies should explore unique neurophysiological correlates of SCT.

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External Validity of ADHD Inattention and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Dimensions in Spanish Children With ADHD

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054714548033 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 655-666 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Javier Fenollar Cortés ◽

Mateu Servera ◽

Stephen P. Becker ◽

G. Leonard Burns

Keyword(s):

Conduct Problems ◽

Peer Relations ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Learning Problems ◽

Future Research ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Medication Status ◽

Cognitive Tempo

Objective: Few studies have examined whether separate dimensions of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT)—inconsistent alertness and slowness—have different external correlates from each other as well as symptoms of ADHD inattention (ADHD-IN). Method: Participants were 131 Spanish children (ages 6-16; 72% boys) diagnosed with ADHD. Results: In regression analyses, ADHD-IN was positively associated with hyperactivity/impulsivity, conduct problems, defiance/aggression, anxiety, peer relations problems, and learning problems. SCT-inconsistent alertness was positively associated with hyperactivity/impulsivity and peer relations problems. In contrast, SCT-slowness was negatively associated with hyperactivity/impulsivity and conduct problems and positively associated with depression and learning problems. Results were consistent after controlling for depression, medication status, and sex. Conclusion: The findings support SCT to be a construct with two dimensions that have unique correlates relative to each other as well as ADHD-IN. Future research on SCT should separate these dimensions of SCT to provide a better understanding of the construct.

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Do Symptoms of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Children With ADHD Symptoms Represent Comorbid Internalizing Difficulties?

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054711431456 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 510-518 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Annie A. Garner ◽

Sylvie Mrug ◽

Bart Hodgens ◽

Cryshelle Patterson

Keyword(s):

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Internalizing Difficulties ◽

Cognitive Tempo

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Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms, But Not ADHD or Internalizing Symptoms, Are Uniquely Related to Self-Reported Mind-Wandering in Adolescents With ADHD

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054720923091 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 108705472092309

Author(s):

Joseph W. Fredrick ◽

Stephen P. Becker

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Mind Wandering ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Cognitive Tempo

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the relation between sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms and self-reported mind-wandering in a sample of adolescents with ADHD. Method: Adolescents ( N = 79; aged 13–17 years; 70% male) diagnosed with ADHD completed measures of SCT, ADHD, anxiety, and depression symptoms, in addition to mind-wandering. Parents also provided ratings of adolescents’ ADHD symptoms. Results: All adolescent-reported psychopathology dimensions, including ADHD, internalizing, and SCT, were significantly bivariately correlated with greater mind-wandering. However, in regression analysis that considered psychopathologies simultaneously, SCT was the only dimension uniquely associated with greater mind-wandering. This finding was unchanged when parent-reported ADHD symptoms were included in the model. Conclusion: These findings are the first to show that SCT symptoms are uniquely related with self-reported mind-wandering in adolescents with ADHD and underscore the importance of considering co-occurring SCT symptoms when testing the interrelations between ADHD and mind-wandering. Replication is needed in larger samples and with other measures of mind-wandering.

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Emotion Dysregulation and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo as Moderators of Cortisol Responsivity in Children with ADHD

Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

10.1007/s41252-020-00156-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 227-240

Author(s):

Stephen G. Taylor ◽

E. Rebekah Siceloff ◽

Alex M. Roberts ◽

W. Joshua Bradley ◽

Rachel M. Bridges ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotion Dysregulation ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Cognitive Tempo

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Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Internalizing Symptoms, and Executive Function in Adults With ADHD

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054716682337 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 701-711 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

John E. Leikauf ◽

Mary V. Solanto

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Predictive Power ◽

Rating Scales ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Stimulant Treatment ◽

Clinical Interviews ◽

Cognitive Tempo

Objective: We sought to characterize relationships between sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) and both internalizing symptoms and executive functioning in adults with ADHD. Method: A total of 102 adults with ADHD completed clinical interviews and clinical rating scales. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to ascertain the independent predictive power of SCT symptoms for deficits in executive function (EF) after considering severity of ADHD inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and internalizing symptoms. Results: SCT correlated with ADHD inattentive symptoms and dimensional measures of depression and anxiety but not with clinical diagnosis of depression or anxiety. SCT predicted EF deficits over and above the effects of internalizing and ADHD symptoms. This relationship between SCT and EF was limited to the subset of participants ( n = 48) receiving stimulant treatment. Conclusion: SCT in adults with ADHD is associated with internalizing symptoms, ADHD inattentive symptoms, and, independently, with EF deficits. Further research is needed to ascertain why this relationship occurred primarily in adults concurrently receiving stimulants.

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