Is autonomic nervous system function atypical in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? A systematic review of the evidence. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bellato, Alessio; Arora, Iti; Hollis, Chris; Groom, Madeleine J.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 108(2020)
• Page Start: 182
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: ADHD -- Arousal regulation -- Autonomic nervous system -- Heart rate -- Electrodermal activity -- Skin conductance -- Pupillometry -- Resting-state -- Cognitive -- Socio-emotional -- Rewards -- Stimulant medication; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.11.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: A clear difference between individuals with/without ADHD on ANS measure was not found. Many studies suggest reduced activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in ADHD. ANS hypo-activation was found especially during resting-state and cognitive tasks. Unclear results from studies on rewards or socio-emotional information processing. Experimental context, medication and sample may affect heterogeneity of results. Abstract: Although arousal mechanisms have frequently been found to be atypical in ADHD, these findings usually emerged from indirect behavioural measures which give only a limited understanding of arousal dysregulation in this condition. To assess the hypothesis that functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), one component of arousal, is atypical in ADHD, we carried out a systematic review of the literature on 55 studies investigating electro-dermal, heart rate and pupillometry measures under different experimental conditions (resting-state, cognitive tasks and in response to reinforcers or socio-emotional stimuli). Our literature review identified ANS dysfunction in individuals with ADHD, more often in the direction of hypo-arousal than hyper-arousal, particularly at rest and during tasks requiring response regulation and sustained attention. Almost half of the reported findings were null. Stimulant medications increased ANS activity and, in some studies, reinforcers and rewards produced a similar effect, suggesting that ANS function can be modified in ADHD. Further research is needed to assess the influence of comorbid symptoms and to explore methodological parameters that may influence findings.