ATTENTIONAL IMPAIRMENT IN CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY

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Published Dec 4, 2009
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Vol. 87 No. 10 (2009): Issue Oct 2009

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Zeineb Abbes
Asma Bouden
Isabelle Amado
Marie Chantal Bourdel
Karim Tabbane
Mohamed Béchir Halayem

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous disorder currently defined by clinical history and behavioral report of impairment. The Attention Network test (ANT) gives measures of different aspects of the complex process of attention.
Aims: We ask if children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will show a characteristic pattern of deficits on this test.
Methods: The sample included 40 children (M = 9 years) who performed the “Attention network test”. Children with an ADHD diagnosis (N = 20) were compared to a control group (N= 20).
Results: The group of children with ADHD showed slower reaction times in all conditions (mean RT= 866ms; SD= 234, 063). Children with ADHD showed a significant impairment in their executive control system compared to healthy subjects, with slower reaction times in incongruent conditions and lower accuracy scores (RT =1064 ms; F(1.38) p= 0.02)). Our results showed that spatial orienting and alerting in ADHD was no different than controls (p= 0, 68). ADHD group showed a greater variable response (p= 0, 0001).
Conclusion: The present study showed that impairment in executive control system and variability measures are the characteristic pattern of deficits in children with ADHD.

Keywords:

Attention, Hyperactivity, Children, Alert

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