Inhibitory control in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been found to be deficient in inhibitory control. The purpose of this study was to determine if adults with ADHD are also deficient in this domain.


METHODS
The performance of 18 adults with ADHD and 18 normal controls was compared on the Stop Signal Paradigm, which is a test of inhibitory control.


RESULTS
The adults with ADHD performed more poorly on the Stop Signal Paradigm than did the normal controls. The ADHD subjects exhibited a longer latency to respond to the stop signal than did the control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The individuals with ADHD tested in this study showed an inhibitory control deficit. The results suggest that a deficit in inhibitory control is central to ADHD.
Murphy
Patricia
P
Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto, and The Hospital for Sick Children, Brain and Behaviour Programme, Toronto, Canada. pattyannemurphy@hotmail.com
D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D014888:Wechsler Scales