title: Deciphering interference control in adults with ADHD by using distribution analyses and electromyographic activity.
abstract: A deficit in "interference control" is commonly found in adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This has mainly been interpreted as difficulties in inhibiting inappropriate responses. However, interference control involves processes other than simply the ability to inhibit. Consequently, we used sophisticated analysis to decipher the additional processes of interference control in these patients. We compared interference control between 16 adults with ADHD and 15 control adults performing a Simon task. In most studies, performance is generally reported in terms of mean error rates and reaction times (RTs). However, here we used distribution analyses of behavioral data, complemented by analyses of electromyographic (EMG) activity. This allowed us to better quantify the control of interference, specifically the part that remains hidden when pure correct trials are not distinguished from partial errors. Partial errors correspond to sub-threshold EMG bursts induced by incorrect responses that immediately precede a correct response. Moreover, besides "online" control, we also investigated cognitive control effects manifesting across consecutive trials. The main findings were that adults with ADHD were slower and showed a larger interference effect in comparison to controls. However, the data revealed that the larger interference effect was due neither to higher impulse expression, nor to a deficit in inhibition but that these patients presented a larger interference effect than the controls after congruent trials. We propose and discuss the hypothesis that the interference control deficit found in adults with ADHD is secondary to impairments in sustained attention.
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LNC UMR 7291, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, FR 3C, Case C, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille cedex 3, France. Electronic address: isabel.suarez-del-chiaro@etu.univ-amu.fr.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LNC UMR 7291, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, FR 3C, Case C, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille cedex 3, France. Electronic address: boris.burle@univ-amu.fr.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Burle
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences Group, University of Antioquia, Torre 1 Piso 1, Medellin, Colombia. Electronic address: cantobon@gmail.com.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tobon
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences Group, University of Antioquia, Torre 1 Piso 1, Medellin, Colombia. Electronic address: dpineda12@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pineda
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences Group, University of Antioquia, Torre 1 Piso 1, Medellin, Colombia. Electronic address: flopera@une.net.co.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lopera
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LNC UMR 7291, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, FR 3C, Case C, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille cedex 3, France. Electronic address: thierry.hasbroucq@univ-amu.fr.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasbroucq
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LNC UMR 7291, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, FR 3C, Case C, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille cedex 3, France. Electronic address: laurence.casini@univ-amu.fr.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adults with ADHD; Distributional analyses; EMG; Interference control; Sequential effects