Single dissociation findings of ADHD deficits in vigilance but not anterior or posterior attention systems.
Following a distributed network model of visuospatial attention, the authors used an A-X version of the Continuous Performance Test and a covert orienting paradigm to examine the vigilance, anterior, and posterior attention systems. Compared with control participants without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), children with the predominantly inattentive (ADHD-I) and combined (ADHD-C) subtypes had lower sensitivity (d') to detect targets from nontargets. Children with ADHD-C, but not ADHD-I, additionally had a highly activated response style (lnbeta). Performance for both subtypes decreased to a greater extent over time in a manner consistent with problems in sustained attention. Together, these results suggest the presence of vigilance system deficits in participants with both ADHD subtypes. However, consistent with previous meta-analytic work, there was no evidence for anterior or posterior system orienting dysfunctions in either subtype.
Huang-Pollock
Cynthia L
CL
Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. clh39@psu.edu
Nigg
Joel T
JT
Halperin
Jeffrey M
JM
D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*