Sluggish Cognitive Tempo as a Possible Predictor of Methylphenidate Response in Children With ADHD

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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Slow sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms are associated with poorer academic performance in children with ADHD

Psychiatry Research ◽

10.1016/j.psychres.2016.05.054 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 242 ◽

pp. 251-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Leanne Tamm ◽

Annie A. Garner ◽

Richard E.A. Loren ◽

Jeffery N. Epstein ◽

Aaron J. Vaughn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Cognitive Tempo

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Commentary on “The neurocognitive nature of children with ADHD comorbid sluggish cognitive tempo: Might SCT be a disorder of vigilance?”

Psychiatry Research ◽

10.1016/j.psychres.2018.06.024 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 279 ◽

pp. 370-371

Author(s):

Vickie Plourde

Keyword(s):

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Cognitive Tempo

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The relationship between theory of mind and sluggish cognitive tempo in school-age children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/13591045211030665 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135910452110306

Author(s):

Doga Sevincok ◽

Sibelnur Avcil ◽

Mutlu M Ozbek

Keyword(s):

Theory Of Mind ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Second Order ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

School Age Children ◽

School Age ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

The Relationship ◽

Cognitive Tempo

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is considered as a cognitive-emotional style. Theory of mind (ToM) skills form the basis of human cognition and social behavior. The aim of this study is to contribute to SCT literature by examining the relationship between SCT and cognitive and affective ToM in school-age children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Fifty school-age children with ADHD (43 boys and seven girls) and 40 typically developing children (34 boys and six girls) were assessed using Parent-rated Barkley Child Attention Scale and Child Behavior Checklist/6–18, cognitive (first- and second-order ToM) and affective ToM (Reading Mind in the Eyes Test and Unexpected Outcomes Test (UOT)) tests. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the variables that may predict SCT levels in children with ADHD. Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder-inattention (Exp(B) = .334, p = .027), internalization (Exp(B) = .305, p = .006), and UOT scores (Exp(B) = .933, p = .015) significantly predicted SCT severity in children with ADHD. SCT severity was significantly associated with impaired cognitive ToM skills as measured by second-order ToM (Exp(B) = 1.933, p = .045). Our findings may indicate that affective ToM developing with age, and impaired cognitive ToM skills are associated with increasing SCT severity.

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