Neurocognitive Features of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a Non-Clinical Adult Sample

摘要

Cognitive difficulties are frequently documented in clinical Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) samples. Whether these cognitive weaknesses are associated with ADHD symptoms in non-clinical samples is unknown. The current study examined the relationship between ADHD symptoms and cognitive performance in a non-clinical adult sample of 75 men and women ages 20 to 49. Self-report measures of ADHD symptoms and neuropsychological assessments examining sustained attention, inhibition, impulsivity, and working memory were administered. Results revealed the following: (1) individuals with high total ADHD scores had difficulty sustaining attention on a repeated trial task; (2) hyperactive/impulsive scores had a significant positive correlation with impulsivity but not with disinhibition; and (3) inattentive scores had a negative trend correlation only with a simple auditory/verbal working memory task. The study revealed that even individuals with sub-clinical ADHD symptoms had similar difficulties associated with sustained attention, impulsivity, and simple verbal working memory in neurocognitive tests.