The Roles of Salience and Value in Inattention Among Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Pilot Investigation

Although inattention is a key symptom subdomain of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the mechanisms underlying this subdomain and related symptoms remain unclear. There is a need for more granular approaches that allow for greater specificity in linking disruptions in specific domains of cognitive performance (e.g., executive function and reward processing) with behavioral manifestations of ADHD. Such approaches may inform the development of more targeted therapeutic interventions. Here, we describe the results of a pilot study of elementary-aged children (ages 6–12years) with ADHD (n=50) and typically developing children (n=48) utilizing a cognitive science task designed to target two dissociable mechanisms of attentional selection: a goal-driven mechanism (i.e., reward/value-driven) and a salience-driven mechanism. Participants were asked to optimally extract and combine information about stimulus salience and value to maximize rewards. While results of this pilot study are ambiguous due to the small sample size and limited number of task trials, data suggest that neither participants with ADHD nor typically developing participants performed optimally to maximize rewards, though typically developing participants were somewhat more successful at the task (i.e., more likely to report high-value targets) regardless of task condition. Further, the manuscript examines several follow-up questions regarding group differences in task response times and group differences in task performance as related to sustained attention across the duration of the task. Finally, the manuscript examines follow-up questions related to heterogeneity in the ADHD group (i.e., age, DSM 5 presentation, and comorbid diagnosis) in predicting task performance.

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Computerized cognitive training in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder as add-on treatment to stimulants: feasibility study and protocol description

Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy ◽

10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0039 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 65-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Virginia de Oliveira Rosa ◽

Marcelo Schmitz ◽

Carlos Renato Moreira-Maia ◽

Flavia Wagner ◽

Igor Londero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Training Program ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Small Sample ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Computerized Cognitive Training ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Background Cognitive training has received increasing attention as a non-pharmacological approach for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Few studies have assessed cognitive training as add-on treatment to medication in randomized placebo controlled trials. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the feasibility of implementing a computerized cognitive training program for ADHD in our environment, describe its main characteristics and potential efficacy in a small pilot study. Methods Six ADHD patients aged 10-12-years old receiving stimulants and presenting residual symptoms were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial to either a standard cognitive training program or a controlled placebo condition for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was core ADHD symptoms measured using the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire (SNAP-IV scale). Results We faced higher resistance than expected to patient enrollment due to logistic issues to attend face-to-face sessions in the hospital and to fill the requirement of medication status and absence of some comorbidities. Both groups showed decrease in parent reported ADHD symptoms without statistical difference between them. In addition, improvements on neuropsychological tests were observed in both groups – mainly on trained tasks. Conclusions This protocol revealed the need for new strategies to better assess the effectiveness of cognitive training such as the need to implement the intervention in a school environment to have an assessment with more external validity. Given the small sample size of this pilot study, definitive conclusions on the effects of cognitive training as add-on treatment to stimulants would be premature.

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Comparing Auditory Noise Treatment with Stimulant Medication on Cognitive Task Performance in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Results from a Pilot Study

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01331 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Göran B. W. Söderlund ◽

Christer Björk ◽

Peik Gustafsson

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Task Performance ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Stimulant Medication ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Cognitive Task Performance ◽

Auditory Noise

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Are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms associated with a more severe course of substance use? A longitudinal study with young Swiss men

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.828 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S21-S21

Author(s):

F. Moggi

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Substance Use ◽

Drug Use ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Population Sample ◽

Self Report ◽

Adhd Group ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

IntroductionAdults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms show higher prevalence rates for substance use disorders (SUD).ObjectivesFew longitudinal studies have been conducted to observe the course of substance use among adults with ADHD.AimsThis study examined the predictive value of ADHD symptoms during the course of substance use in a population sample.MethodsIn two waves data from a representative sample of 5103 Swiss men in their early 20s were collected (baseline and 15-month follow-up) in the longitudinal “Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors” (C-SURF). ADHD symptoms and substance use were assessed using the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) and self-administered SUD questionnaires, respectively. Individuals who screened positive for ADHD (ADHD+) were compared to those who screened negative (ADHD−).ResultsAt baseline, the 215 individuals in the ADHD+ group (4.2%) showed considerably higher prevalence and frequency of substance use and prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use disorders relative to the ADHD− group. While alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and heroin use remained stable from baseline to follow-up, the ADHD+ group was more likely to begin using illicit drugs (i.e. amphetamines, speed, ecstasy, hallucinogens, and cocaine) and initiate nonmedical use of prescription drugs (i.e. stimulants/amphetamines, hypnotics, and tranquilizers) relative to the ADHD− group.ConclusionsYoung men with ADHD symptoms displayed more severe substance use patterns and were at a high risk of initiating drug use within 15 months. The identification of ADHD symptoms during early adulthood may be relevant in early interventions to lower the risk of drug use.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

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Gut microbiota signature in treatment-naïve attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Translational Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41398-021-01504-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vanesa Richarte ◽

Cristina Sánchez-Mora ◽

Montserrat Corrales ◽

Christian Fadeuilhe ◽

Laura Vilar-Ribó ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Relative Abundance ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Small Sample ◽

Adhd Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

AbstractCompelling evidence supports alterations in gut microbial diversity, bacterial composition, and/or relative abundance of several bacterial taxa in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, findings for ADHD are inconsistent among studies, and specific gut microbiome signatures for the disorder remain unknown. Given that previous studies have mainly focused on the pediatric form of the disorder and involved small sample sizes, we conducted the largest study to date to compare the gastrointestinal microbiome composition in 100 medication-naïve adults with ADHD and 100 sex-matched healthy controls. We found evidence that ADHD subjects have differences in the relative abundance of several microbial taxa. At the family level, our data support a lower relative abundance of Gracilibacteraceae and higher levels of Selenomonadaceae and Veillonellaceae in adults with ADHD. In addition, the ADHD group showed higher levels of Dialister and Megamonas and lower abundance of Anaerotaenia and Gracilibacter at the genus level. All four selected genera explained 15% of the variance of ADHD, and this microbial signature achieved an overall sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 71% for distinguishing between ADHD patients and healthy controls. We also tested whether the selected genera correlate with age, body mass index (BMI), or scores of the ADHD rating scale but found no evidence of correlation between genera relative abundance and any of the selected traits. These results are in line with recent studies supporting gut microbiome alterations in neurodevelopment disorders, but further studies are needed to elucidate the role of the gut microbiota on the ADHD across the lifespan and its contribution to the persistence of the disorder from childhood to adulthood.

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Everyday emotional experience of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: evidence for reactive and endogenous emotional lability

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291714001032 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 44 (16) ◽

pp. 3571-3583 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

C. Skirrow ◽

U. Ebner-Priemer ◽

I. Reinhard ◽

Y. Malliaris ◽

J. Kuntsi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Positive Emotions ◽

Negative Emotions ◽

Group Differences ◽

Adhd Group ◽

Emotional Lability ◽

Emotional Instability ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Co Morbidity

Background.Emotional lability (EL), characterized by negative emotional traits and emotional instability, is frequently reported in children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, EL is primarily assessed using retrospective self-report, which is subject to reporting bias and does not consider the potential influence of positive and negative everyday experiences.Method.Ambulatory assessment was carried out in 41 men with ADHD without co-morbidity, current medication or substance abuse, and 47 healthy control participants. Reports of negative and positive emotions (irritability, frustration, anger, happiness, excitement) and the occurrence of bad and good events were completed eight times daily during a working week. Group differences in emotional intensity and instability were investigated using multilevel models, and explored in relation to bad and good events and the Affective Lability Scale – Short Form (ALS-SF), an EL questionnaire.Results.The ADHD group reported significantly more frequent bad events, heightened intensity and instability of irritability and frustration, and greater intensity of anger. The results for positive emotions were equivocal or negative. Bad events significantly contributed to the intensity and instability of negative emotions, and showed a stronger influence in the ADHD group. However, covariation for their effect did not eliminate group differences. Small-to-moderate correlations were seen between intensity and instability of negative emotions and the ALS-SF.Conclusions.Adults with ADHD report heightened intensity and instability of negative emotions in daily life. The results suggest two components of EL in ADHD: a reactive component responsive to bad events and an endogenous component, independent of negative everyday events.

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A follow-up pilot study of objective measures in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health ◽

10.1046/j.1440-1754.2000.00464.x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 134-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

A Aggarwal ◽

D Lillystone

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Objective Measures ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is an independent risk factor for lower resilience in adolescents: a pilot study

Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy ◽

10.1590/2237-6089-2015-0010 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 157-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maria Angélica Regalla ◽

Priscilla Guilherme ◽

Pablo Aguilera ◽

Maria Antonia Serra-Pinheiro ◽

Paulo Mattos

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Control Group ◽

Adhd Group ◽

Intelligence Level ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Wide Range

Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired daily functioning in a wide range of domains. Resilience, the ability to overcome and recover from challenges, has been scarcely investigated in ADHD and could potentially provide novel strategies for treatment. However, since ADHD is often comorbid with other clinical conditions, it is necessary to better understand if it impairs resilience levels when controlled for other variables. This pilot study is the first to investigate the correlation between quantitative measures of resilience and ADHD using strict diagnostic criteria by controlling this correlation for comorbid conditions.Methods:Twelve adolescents diagnosed with ADHD via semi-structured interview using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) were compared to 12 adolescents exhibiting typical development, regarding resilience, in an analysis controlled for anxiety and depression levels, socioeconomic status, and intelligence quotient (IQ).Results: The ADHD group was less resilient than the control group (p < 0.01). Importantly, resilience in the ADHD group was not correlated with depression or anxiety, age, intelligence level, and socioeconomic status.Conclusions:ADHD seems to be associated with lower resilience, which cannot be explained by depression, anxiety, intelligence level, age, or socioeconomic status.

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