A-291 Examining Executive Function Profiles with the NIH Toolbox in an ADHD Sample

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Factor analysis of executive functions has identified three primary skills involving inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility (Miyake & Friedman, 2012). Processing speed, while not typically thought of as an executive function, contributes to cognitive proficiency. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NTCB) endeavors to capture these dimensions through its incorporation of subtests purported to measure these skills. The current study examines latent profiles of executive functioning in an ADHD sample. Method: Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify clusters based on NTCB measures within a sample of 176 participants diagnosed with ADHD (65.3% male; Mage= 12.06). Analytics were performed using MPlus statistical software, with missing data being accounted for using full information likelihood estimation (FIML). Model selection was based on the number of fit indices and criteria (Nylund et al., 2013). Results: A three-profile model was deemed best fit based on the lowest BIC (6820.64) and a Vuong-Lo p-value of .004. Results also indicated adequate entropy (.78). Participants were subcategorized as 80 with reduced attention and inhibitory control scores (Flanker and Dimensional Card Sort), 60 with reduced working memory and processing speed scores (List Sorting and Pattern Comparison), and 36 with the highest working memory and processing speed. Conclusion: Subtyping ADHD with objective data may better capture symptom variability than the current classification system, thereby lending itself to more targeted treatment plans.