Interference Control, Working Memory, Concept Shifting, and Verbal Fluency in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Published in: Neuropsychology 2008-01, Vol.22 (1), p.74-84
• Main Authors: Marchetta, Natalie D. J, Hurks, Petra P. M, Krabbendam, Lydia, Jolles, Jelle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Cognitive Ability; Comorbidity; Female; Human; Humans; Inhibition (Psychology); Male; Medical sciences; Memory, Short-Term - physiology; Mental Processes - physiology; Miscellaneous; Neuropsychological Tests; Problem Solving; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Reaction Time - physiology; Verbal Learning - physiology
• ISSN: 0894-4105; 1931-1559
• DOI: 10.1037/0894-4105.22.1.74

In this study, the authors aimed to examine 4 domains of executive functioning in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-namely interference control, concept shifting, verbal fluency, and verbal working memory. Four groups of participants were included: (a) adults diagnosed with ADHD (ADHD − ; n = 20), (b) adults diagnosed with both ADHD and 1 or more comorbid disorder(s) (ADHD + ; n = 22), (c) adults referred for ADHD because of ADHD symptomatology but not diagnosed as such (non-ADHD; n = 34), and (d) healthy controls ( n = 136). ADHD-related deficits (independent of comorbidity) were revealed for concept shifting and verbal working memory. In addition, the ADHD + and non-ADHD groups displayed deficits in terms of general processing speed. Given that these deficits were not found in the ADHD − group, the authors contend that these deficits are likely attributable to comorbidity rather than ADHD itself. Contrary to the authors' expectations, these findings do not correspond with the cognitive subtype hypothesis.