Cardiac Reactivity and Stimulant Use in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders with Comorbid ADHD Versus ADHD

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2015-02, Vol.45 (2), p.481-494
• Main Authors: Bink, M., Popma, A., Bongers, I. L., van Boxtel, G. J. M., Denissen, A., van Nieuwenhuizen, Ch
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - physiopathology; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Central Nervous System Stimulants - pharmacology; Central Nervous System Stimulants - therapeutic use; Child; Child and School Psychology; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - complications; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - drug therapy; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - physiopathology; Comorbidity; Complications and side effects; Correlation; Demographic aspects; Drug Therapy; Drug Use; Heart rate; Heart Rate - drug effects; Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Male; Metabolism; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Physiological aspects; Psychology; Psychomotor Performance - drug effects; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Public Health; Risk factors; Stimulants; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-013-1929-1

A large number of youngsters with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) display comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. However, previous studies are not conclusive whether psychophysiological correlates, like cardiac reactivity, are different for ASD with comorbid ADHD (ASD+) compared to ADHD. Therefore, the current study investigated (dis)similarities in cardiac reactivity and attention task performance. In a clinical sample, adolescents diagnosed with ASD+ (n = 20) versus ADHD (n = 36) and stimulant medication use (56 %) were compared during a baseline with eyes closed and task performance. Results for cardiac reactivity were similar for both diagnostic groups. Stimulant-medicated adolescents showed decreased adaptation of LF/HF ratio and faster reaction times than stimulant-free adolescents. The current study underlines the psychophysiological overlap of ADHD symptoms in adolescents with ASD+ and adolescents with ADHD.