Cognitive Control Deficits in Children With Subthreshold Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Caiqi Chen,Xiqin Liu,Tingting Wu,Zhuangyang Li,Yongling Pan

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2022.835544

Abstract

Subthreshold Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined as a neurobiological condition with some core inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD which do not meet the full diagnosis clinically. Although it has been well documented that deficits in cognitive control, a high-level cognitive construct closely related to attention, are frequently found among children with ADHD, whether subthreshold ADHD is also associated with similar deficits remains unclear. In this study, we examined the attention functions and the cognitive control capacity (CCC) in children with ADHD (n = 39), those with subthreshold ADHD (n = 34), and typically developing peers (TD, n = 36). The results showed that the ADHD and subthreshold ADHD groups exhibited similar patterns of the impaired executive function of attention (revealed as an augment in flanker conflict effect) and reduced cognitive control capacity, and no significant difference was found between the two groups. These findings suggest that although children with subthreshold ADHD have not met the full criteria of ADHD, they showed reduced efficiency in cognitive control and attention function, similar to children with ADHD.

Highlights

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent psychological disorder in childhood
Sex ratio was significantly different between groups [χ2(2) = 6.87, p = 0.032], with the difference being significant between the typically developing peers (TD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) groups (χ2 = 5.81, p = 0.016), between the TD and subthreshold ADHD groups (χ2 = 3.93 p = 0.047), but not between the ADHD and subthreshold ADHD groups (χ2 = 0.72, p = 0.795)
The attention deficit factor was significantly different between groups (F2,129 = 191.39, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.788, BF10 > 1,000), with the differences being significant between all pairs of groups (ADHD > subthreshold ADHD > TD, all ps < 0.001 with BF10 > 1,000)

Summary

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent psychological disorder in childhood. It is characterized by inattention, short attention time, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are not commensurate with age and developmental level. This disorder is often accompanied by learning difficulties, behavior disorders and maladjustment (Scahill and Schwabstone, 2000). Due to the lack of a diagnostic label, the symptoms of children with subthreshold ADHD typically gain less attention than those of children with ADHD, and it is difficult for the former to get effective intervention in time and to obtain guidance in the clinic, school and family. The definition of subthreshold ADHD needs a profound rethinking, and more investigations are necessary

Methods

Results

Conclusion