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 ◽  
...  

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.

Author(s):  
Nana Guo ◽  
Anselm B. M. Fuermaier ◽  
Janneke Koerts ◽  
Bernhard W. Mueller ◽  
Katerina Diers ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Brown ◽  
Lydia Gabriela Speyer ◽  
Ingrid Obsuth ◽  
Denis Ribeaud ◽  
Manuel Eisner ◽  
...  

Objective: To explore the mediating role of emotional lability in the relationship between adult ADHD symptoms, and cannabis and alcohol consumption.Method: Emotional lability and concurrent cannabis and alcohol consumption were measured as part of the ecological momentary assessment study, ‘Decades to Minutes’; embedded within the longitudinal z-proso study. Adults (n = 289, aged 20) completed measures of concurrent alcohol and cannabis consumption, and emotional lability at four quasi-random time periods per day, over a 14-day period. ADHD symptoms were retrieved from the participants’ corresponding z-proso data. Results: Structural equation modelling revealed that ADHD symptoms, but not emotional lability, had a direct effect on concurrent cannabis use. Contrastingly, emotional lability, but not ADHD symptoms, had a direct effect on concurrent alcohol use. Conclusion: Results highlight the differing effects of emotional lability in the association between ADHD symptoms and different types of substance use. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Ultan Cowley ◽  
Kristiina Juurmaa ◽  
Jussi Palomäki

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is understudied, especially regarding neural mechanisms such as oscillatory control of attention sampling. We report an EEG study of such cortical oscillations, in ADHD-diagnosed adults taking a continuous performance test that measures the ability to sustain attention and inhibit impulsivity for a prolonged period of time.We recorded 53 adults (28f, 25m, aged 18-60), and 18 matched healthy controls, using 128-channel EEG. We analysed features with established links to neural correlates of attention: event-related (de)synchronisation (ERS/D), alpha and theta frequency band activation, phase-locking value (PLV), and timing-sensitivity indices; in frontal and parietal scalp regions.Test performance distinguished healthy controls from ADHD adults. The ADHD group manifested significantly less parietal pre-stimulus 8Hz theta ERS during correct inhibition trials, less frontal & parietal post-stimulus 4Hz theta ERS during inhibition & response trials, and increased frontal & parietal pre-stimulus alpha ERS during inhibition & response. They showed significantly reduced fronto-parietal connectivity that lagged across trials and was strongly lateralised. In addition, they had reduced sensitivity to targets in stimulus-locking measures.Building on the hypothesis of parietal attention sampling, our results suggest that ADHD adults have impaired attention sampling in relational categorisation tasks.


2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaori Kubo Germano ◽  
Juan Carlos Guerrero ◽  
Erica D'Aquila ◽  
Alyssa Arentoft ◽  
Desiree Byrd ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S475-S476
Author(s):  
A. Gormez ◽  
E. Kocer ◽  
A. Kurtulmus ◽  
I. Kirpinar

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent difficulties with attention, increased impulsivity and hyperactivity. Comorbidity is often reported in adults with ADHD with a range of 60–100% of patients having at least one co-morbid condition.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of ADHD among university students and to investigate some co-occurring symptoms and disorders.AimsWe aimed to raise awareness of adult ADHD and underscore its co-morbidity.Method486 undergraduate students at Bezmialem Vakif university in Istanbul filled in the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Beck Anxiety Scale (Beck-A), Beck Depression Scale (Beck-D) and a purpose-designed structured socio-demographic form.ResultsOur results revealed that 6% of participants reported significant ADHD symptoms using 1.5 standard deviation above mean on the ASRS. 67% of students with significant ADHD symptoms had a psychiatric history other than ADHD. History of depression, anxiety and sleep problems were significantly higher in this group (P < 0.05). They scored higher on Beck-A and Beck-D (P < 0.05). Students with significant ADHD symptoms reported more night eating, binge eating behaviours and more headache (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the history of epilepsy, asthma, allergy and diabetes. Family history of psychiatric disorder particularly ADHD, depression and eating disorder were higher in the ADHD group (P < 0.05).ConclusionOur results demonstrate that ADHD is prevalent among university students with high co-morbidity. Hence people with ADHD need comprehensive and lifelong assessment and management of their symptoms and needs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1909-1918 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Antshel ◽  
S. V. Faraone ◽  
K. Maglione ◽  
A. E. Doyle ◽  
R. Fried ◽  
...  

BackgroundTo examine the association between psychological tests of executive functioning and functional outcomes among high-IQ adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodSubjects were high-IQ adults with (n=64) and without ADHD (n=53). Subjects were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests assessing executive functioning.ResultsHigh-IQ adults with ADHD performed less well than those without ADHD on several psychological tests of executive functioning, including the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Color and Word Test, Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and an auditory continuous performance test (CPT). Test performance in the high-IQ adult ADHD group, however, was average. In the entire sample, performance on several tests of executive functioning including the ROCF and the CVLT were significant predictors of real-world functioning.ConclusionsHigh-IQ adults with ADHD perform less well on tests of executive functioning relative to high-IQ control participants. Performance on several tests of executive functioning was a significant predictor of functioning.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maayan Ben Dor Cohen ◽  
Eran Eldar ◽  
Adina Maeir ◽  
Mor Nahun

Abstract Objective: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with emotional dysregulation (ED) and impaired quality of life (QoL). However, the role of ED in explaining the relationship between ADHD and QoL is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to do so in a sample of non-referred young adults with and without ADHD.Method: The study design was cross-sectional. A non-clinical sample of 62 young adults with ADHD (mean age = 24.86 years, SD = 3.25) and 69 controls (mean age = 23.84 years, SD = 2.59) were recruited. The Adult ADHD Quality-of-Life scale was used to measure QoL; The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale was used to measure ADHD symptoms. The Self-Report Wender-Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale were used to measure ED. Group differences on all measures were tested using univariate and multivariate analyses of covariance, while controlling for age. Univariate analyses of variance were conducted to investigate the possible effect of medication on all outcome measures in the ADHD group. Finally, a moderation analysis was used in order to examine the impact of ED on QoL beyond that accounted for by ADHD symptoms.Results: Both QoL and ED were significantly worse for the ADHD group compared to the control group. The medication status of the ADHD group participants had no significant effect on the level of ADHD symptoms, ED or QoL. ED moderated the effect of ADHD symptoms on QoL for the ADHD group.Conclusion: The findings support the centrality of ED in ADHD and its crucial influence on QoL. Young adults with ADHD and high levels of ED are at risk for aversive impact on their well-being regardless of their ADHD symptoms level.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1092-1092
Author(s):  
Melissa A Baker ◽  
Xinyue Deng ◽  
Antonio N Puente

Abstract Objective While neuropsychological testing is often seen as an unbiased form of measuring brain function, recent literature has emerged detailing possible effects of cultural competence on test performance (Fernandez, 2018). This systematic review examined the effects of acculturation on neuropsychological tests across domains and populations in existing literature. We anticipated that “verbal” tests would be more affected by acculturation, and we were unsure if specific patient populations or ethnic groups would be more affected. Data Selection A preliminary search for articles of acculturation and neuropsychological performance was conducted; Search terms included acculturat* (acculturation, acculturate), cultural assimilation* (assimilate, assimilation), neuropsychological test (test performance), and cognitive domains (cognition, intelligence, learning, memory). Over 10,000 studies were screened; the 39 studies included in analysis had quantitative data only, adult populations (18+), an acculturation measure or proxy (place of birth, length of time in the US, and English language use/proficiency), and relational data between neuropsychological test performance and acculturation. Data synthesis A narrative synthesis of included articles was performed prior to data extraction; data extracted from these articles include unadjusted correlation coefficients, partial correlation, regression model outputs, and descriptive statistics. Results are still being compiled but initial findings suggest that generally, increased acculturation leads to better performance. Conclusion Initial results show that increased acculturation to “white America,” leads to better neuropsychological test performances. This effect is more noticeable on verbal tests. Results of this review will be beneficial in understanding how cultural bias may negatively influence the accuracy of neuropsychological test results.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 552-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Cook ◽  
Melissa T. Buelow ◽  
Esther Lee ◽  
Ashley Howell ◽  
Brittni Morgan ◽  
...  

Malingering is a significant assessment concern in adults undergoing evaluations for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and may occur for a number of reasons, including access to medication and/or accommodations. Therefore, it is important to investigate ways to determine accuracy of self-reported ADHD symptoms. The present study used a simulation design to examine the impact of reasons for malingering on the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) Symptom subscales and the CAARS infrequency index (CII). Participants ( N = 157) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: best effort, malingering for stimulant medication, or malingering for extra time accommodations. The three groups were compared with 34 individuals reporting previous diagnosis of ADHD. Results showed that individuals in both malingering groups scored higher than controls on all CAARS subscales and CII. Individuals in the medication malingering group, but not the extra time malingering group, scored higher than the ADHD group on CII and several CAARS subscales whose content overtly reflects ADHD symptomatology. Findings emphasize the influence of malingering on self-reported ADHD symptoms and the need to assess for malingering in ADHD evaluation. Results also suggest that reason for malingering might differentially affect self-report of ADHD symptoms.


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