Frontal systems dysfunction in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities.
Tests of attention, inhibition, working memory, motor learning, and problem solving--functions associated with the brain's frontal systems--were administered to 26 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities (ADHD + LD), 22 children with LD only, and 10 with ADHD only. Percentages of abnormal test results and significantly impaired scores were higher for the two groups with LD than for the ADHD-only group. The groups differed significantly on some tests of attention-inhibition-cueing, working memory, and problem solving, with the ADHD + LD and LD groups performing worse than the ADHD-only group. Abnormalities of frontal systems tests are not exclusive ADHD characteristics and are also present in LD children, implying a strong connection between centers of "processing" and centers of "executive" functions.
Lazar
J W
JW
Department of Neurology, North Shore University Hospital, New York University Medical School, Manhassett, USA.
Frank
Y
Y
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology; D014836:Volition / Q000502:physiology