Cognitive and neurophysiological markers of ADHD persistence and remission. (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheung, Celeste H. M.; Rijsdijk, Fruhling; McLoughlin, Gráinne; Brandeis, Daniel; Banaschewski, Tobias; Asherson, Philip; Kuntsi, Jonna
• Is Part Of: British journal of psychiatry. Volume 208:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 548
• Page End: 555
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.145185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1250

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persists in around two-thirds of individuals in adolescence and early adulthood. Aims: To examine the cognitive and neurophysiological processes underlying the persistence or remission of ADHD. Method: Follow-up data were obtained from 110 young people with childhood ADHD and 169 controls on cognitive, electroencephalogram frequency, event-related potential (ERP) and actigraph movement measures after 6 years. Results: ADHD persisters differed from remitters on preparation-vigilance measures (contingent negative variation, delta activity, reaction time variability and omission errors), IQ and actigraph count, but not on executive control measures of inhibition or working memory (nogo-P3 amplitudes, commission errors and digit span backwards). Conclusions: Preparation-vigilance measures were markers of remission, improving concurrently with ADHD symptoms, whereas executive control measures were not sensitive to ADHD persistence/remission. For IQ, the present and previous results combined suggest a role in moderating ADHD outcome. These findings fit with previously identified aetiological separation of the cognitive impairments in ADHD. The strongest candidates for the development of non-pharmacological interventions involving cognitive training and neurofeedback are the preparation-vigilance processes that were markers of ADHD remission.