scholarly journals Intervention for executive functions in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Menezes ◽  
Natália Martins Dias ◽  
Bruna Tonietti Trevisan ◽  
Luiz Renato R. Carreiro ◽  
Alessandra Gotuzo Seabra
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Intelligence Quotient ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Inattention And Hyperactivity ◽  
And Control ◽  
Weekly Group

This study aimed to investigate if an executive functions (EF) intervention could promote these skills in individuals with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Eighteen children and adolescents, 7-13 years old, divided into experimental (EG, N = 8) and control (CG, N = 10) groups, were assessed in the Block Design and Vocabulary subtests of the WISC III and seven tests of EF. Parents answered two scales, measuring EF and inattention and hyperactivity signs. EG children participated in a program to promote EF in twice-weekly group sessions of one hour each. After 8 months of intervention, groups were assessed again. ANCOVA, controlling for age, intelligence quotient and pretest performance, revealed gains in attention/inhibition and auditory working memory measures for the EG. No effect was found for scales or measures of more complex EF. Results are not conclusive, but they illustrate some promising data about EF interventions in children and adolescents with ADHD.

scholarly journals A Review of Executive Functions in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Carmen Berenguer ◽  
Belen Rosello ◽  
Geraldine Leader
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders. Literature has shown different patterns of deficits in executive functioning in children with ASD and ADHD. To date few studies have examined executive functions in both ASD and ADHD and with mixed results.The current study provides the first systematic review to explore distinct executive function components (attention problems, response inhibition, working memory, planning and flexibility) that underlie the specific deficits seen in children and adolescents with both ASD and ADHD disorders. Findings provide evidence for executive dysfunctions across different key components such as attention, response inhibition and verbal working memory in children and adolescents with ASD and comorbid ADHD clinical symptoms. This research explores the neurocognitive profile of the comorbid condition, which is also critical for designing appropriate interventions.

scholarly journals A head-to-head randomized clinical trial of methylphenidate and atomoxetine treatment for executive function in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1959-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsing-Chang Ni ◽  
Chi-Yung Shang ◽  
Susan Shur-Fen Gau ◽  
Yu-Ju Lin ◽  
Hui-Chun Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Psychiatric Interview ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Results regarding the effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on executive functions were inconsistent and no study has directly compared the efficacy of these two medications in improving executive functions in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We conducted an 8–10 wk, open-label, head-to-head, randomized clinical trial involving adults with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD confirmed by psychiatric interview. The two treatment arms were immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-methylphenidate) (n = 31) and atomoxetine once daily (n = 32). Executive functions were assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), including spatial working memory, spatial span, intra-extra dimensional set shifts, rapid visual information processing and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC). In addition to the symptom assessments at baseline (week 0), visit 2 (week 4–5) and visit 3 (week 8–10), they received CANTAB assessments at baseline and visit 3 (60.4 ± 6.3 d). Compared to baseline, adults treated with atomoxetine showed significant improvement in spatial working memory, spatial short-term memory, sustained attention and spatial planning at visit 3; adults treated with IR-methylphenidate showed significant improvement in spatial working memory at visit 3. Comparing the magnitude of improvement in executive functions between these two medications, the effect was generally similar for the two groups, although atomoxetine might have significantly greater efficacy than IR-methylphenidate in terms of improving spatial planning (SOC). Our results provide evidence to support that both IR-methylphenidate and atomoxetine improved various executive functions in adults with ADHD with greater improvement in atomoxetine than IR-methylphenidate in spatial planning.

Inattention and Hyperactivity-Impulsivity: Psychobiological and Evolutionary Underpinnings of ADHD

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan J. Stein ◽  
Jin Fan ◽  
John Fossella ◽  
Vivienne A. Russell
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Gene Variants ◽  
Affective Neuroscience ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Inattention And Hyperactivity ◽  
Neuroscience Of Attention

ABSTRACTAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a prevalent and disabling disorder that is characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, impairment in executive functions, structural and functional abnormalities in frontal-striatal circuitry, associations with particular catecholamine gene variants, and responsiveness to dopaminergic and noradrenergic agents. There is a growing integration of findings from basic and clinical studies, of data from different methods (eg, genetics and imaging), and of empirical data with hypotheses drawn from evolutionary thinking. Here we briefly summarize work on the cognitive-affective neuroscience of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

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