Comorbid Conduct Disorder Research Articles

Altered Neural Activation in First Episode Psychosis Patients With Comorbid Conduct Disorder: A Pilot Investigation

Altered Neural Activation in First Episode Psychosis Patients With Comorbid Conduct Disorder: A Pilot Investigation

Can pediatric bipolar disorder be successfully treated when comorbid with conduct disorder? A secondary analysis of clinical trials of risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole.

Pediatric bipolar disorder (BP) is frequently comorbid with conduct disorder (CD) and its presence adds to the morbidity of BP. While there are no known pharmacological treatments for CD, pediatric BP is responsive to treatment with medications initially indicated for the treatment of psychosis, several of which have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of pediatric mania. The main aim of this secondary analysis was to examine whether pediatric BP comorbid with CD responds similarly to treatment with such selected medications. Considering the well-documented morbidity of CD, this finding could have important clinical and public health significance. We conducted a secondary analysis of six prospective 8-week open-label trials of selected medications (risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole) using identical methodology in youth with BP with and without comorbid CD. Results: Of 165 youths with BP, 54% (N = 89) met criteria for comorbid CD. The antimanic effects observed did not significantly differ between BP youths with and without comorbid CD, as measured either by a reduction in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) ⩾ 30% or Clinical Global Impression (CGI)-Improvement ⩽ 2 (p = 0.23), or by the more stringent definition of a reduction in YMRS ⩾ 50% (p = 0.61). Pediatric BP can be effectively treated with the abovementioned medications in the context of comorbid CD. Based on previous research showing that remission of BP is associated with remission of CD, if confirmed, these findings raise the possibility that antimanic treatment of youth with BP comorbid with CD could have secondary benefits in mitigating the morbidity associated with CD. This is a pilot scale finding, the results of which are promising and should be confirmed by larger and long-term follow-up studies.

A Comparative Analysis of Determinants of Family Dynamics of Children with ADHD with and without Comorbid Conduct Disorder

Background: Comorbidity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most actively studied topics in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. Among clinic-referred children, comorbidity is frequently found between ADHD and conduct disorder (CD). However, little is known regarding the probable association between the co-occurrence and external factors. One factor that has recently sparked interest is family dynamics.
 Objective: To compare the children with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with and without co-morbid conduct disorder (CD) in terms of selected determinants of family dynamics and the influences of catchment area and gender on these differences.
 Methodology: This case-control study was conducted upon a sample of 114 pre-diagnosed ADHD children from July 2017 to June 2019 at the Liaquat University Hospital & Sir CJIP. After taking written informed consent from parents of children diagnosed with ADHD, the children were re-evaluated using the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM) - V criteria. Vanderbilt Parent Rating Scale was also used to screen for possible comorbidities with ADHD. Children with intellectual disability were excluded from the study. Family dynamics like family type, family size, socio-economic status, parental educational and occupational status, family relationships, parental discord, and history of psychiatric illness in family were explored via self-structured interview-based questionnaire. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS v. 21.0.
 Results: The cumulative mean age of the sample of ADHD children stood at 7.6 years (SD ± 0.52). Most of the sample of the children hailed from urban (64.3%) areas and were raised in joint families (71.4%). Consanguinity was common among the parents (72.8%) and especially prevalent among the ADHD children with co-morbid CD. The key features that were notably high among families of the children with comorbid CD included positive parental psychiatric history, ADHD among siblings and parental discord.
 Conclusion: After careful consideration, it can be concluded that consanguinity of parents, joint family system. And family history of psychiatric disorder affects the occurrence of comorbidity of conduct disorder among children with ADHD.

Differentiating Brain Function of Punishment versus Reward Processing in Conduct Disorder with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective Conduct disorder (CD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are reported to co-occur in about 30-50% of affected individuals. Research suggests that poor reinforcement-based decision-making may contribute to impaired social functioning in both youths with CD and ADHD. Considering its frequent co-occurrence this raises the question whether decision-making deficits in both disorders have a disorder-specific and/or shared neurobiological basis. Method 138 participants with CD, ADHD, or CD + ADHD, and typically developing controls (TDCs) aged 9-18 years (48% girls) were included in the study. Participants completed a reinforcement-based decision-making task in the fMRI scanner, investigating decision-making capabilities under different reinforcement contingencies (i.e. punishment vs. reward). Whole-brain and ROI analyses were used to test for potential group differences. Results For punishment versus reward contingencies, relative to TDCs, youths with CD + ADHD displayed lower brain activity in dorsal striatum (incl. caudate), middle temporal gyrus (MTG), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and lateral occipital cortex, and they showed lower activity in dorsal striatum (incl. putamen), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and IFG relative to participants with ADHD. All other group comparisons were found to be non-significant. Conclusion Participants with comorbid CD + ADHD are neurobiologically the most severely impaired group regarding reinforcement-based decision-making, particularly in response to punishment.

22.1 Can Pediatric Bipolar Disorder be Successfully Treated When Comorbid With Conduct Disorder? A Secondary Analysis of Six Clinical Trials of Second Generation Antipsychotics

Pediatric bipolar disorder (BP) is highly comorbid with conduct disorder (CD) and its presence adds to the high morbidity of BP disorder. While there are no known pharmacological treatments for CD, pediatric BP is responsive to treatment. Yet, it is not known whether antimanic treatments remain efficacious in the context of comorbid CD. The main aim of this secondary analysis study was to examine whether pediatric BP responds to second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) when comorbid with CD. This finding could have important clinical and public health significance by providing a pharmacological option for this highly morbid comorbid condition. We conducted a secondary analysis of 6 prospective 8-week open-label trials of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs; risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole) using identical methodology in youth with BP with and without comorbid CD. Of 165 youths with BP, 54% (N = 89) met criteria for comorbid CD. The antimanic effects observed were almost identical in BP youths with and without comorbid CD, as measured either by a reduction in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) ≥30% or Clinical Global Impression (CGI)-Improvement scale ≤2 (p = 0.23), or by the more stringent definition of a reduction in YMRS ≥50% (p = 0.61). Pediatric BP can be effectively treated with SGAs in the context of comorbid CD. Based on previous research showing that remission of BP is associated with remission of CD, if confirmed, these findings raise the possibility that antimanic treatment of youth with BP comorbid with CD could have secondary benefits in mitigating the morbidity associated with CD.

Psychiatric comorbidity associated with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and substance use disorder

BackgroundAlthough both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and substance use disorder (SUD) are both commonly comorbid with other psychiatric conditions, there is a paucity of research on the overlap of these disorders. The primary aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in young adults with SUD and ASD compared to those with ASD only. MethodMultivariate logistic regression controlling for age was used to compare the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a sample of treatment-seeking adult outpatients with a) ASD without SUD and b) ASD with SUD. Psychiatric and SUD diagnoses were determined by semi-structured interview (SCID for DSM IV). ResultsThe sample included 42 patients with ASD only (mean age ± SD = 26.2 ± 8.9 years) and 21 with ASD and SUD (35.2 ± 12.6). High rates of psychopathology were found in both groups. Comorbid conduct disorder (CD) was significantly more prevalent in the ASD + SUD group (25 %) compared to those without SUD (5%; p < 0.05). There were no other significant differences between groups in the rates of non-conduct comorbid psychopathology. ConclusionIn both groups, rates of psychopathology were high with CD being significantly more common in young adults with ASD and SUD. These findings highlight the importance of screening for CD in individuals with ASD to mitigate the potential development of comorbid SUD. Further research is needed to determine if CD is a true risk factor for SUD in the ASD population and identify other risk factors.

Behavioral symptoms of child mental disorders and lifetime substance use in adolescence: A within-family comparison of US siblings

BackgroundChildhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is found to be a risk factor for substance use in adolescence, but literature has suggested that the observed influence of ADHD may be driven by the comorbid conduct disorder (CD) or oppositional defiance disorder (ODD). We examine whether childhood ADHD and CD influence lifetime use of substances, independent of other comorbid mental problems and familial risk factors. MethodsA total of 712 sibling pairs from a nationally representative US longitudinal survey were followed from 1997 to 2015. The Behavior Problems Index (BPI) was used to measure mental disorders in children. The hyperactive, antisocial, headstrong, anxious/depressed subscales of the BPI for ADHD, CD, ODD, anxiety/depression of children were assessed by their biological mothers who were the primary caregiver. Lifetime substance use by age 18 was measured by self-reports. A within-family design was used to minimize confounding. ResultsAfter controlling for mother fixed effects and comorbid mental disorders, symptoms of ADHD were not associated with lifetime substance use in adolescence except for regular smoking, while those of CD were positively and significantly associated with heightened risk for lifetime use of cannabis, regular smoking, cocaine, barbiturates, tranquilizers, hallucinogens, and inhalants in adolescence. ConclusionsThe results suggest that the association observed between childhood ADHD and substance use in adolescence may be driven by comorbid CD whose influences are robust to other mental disorders or unobserved familial factors.

The Psychosocial Outcome of Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders diagnosed in children below the age of 12 years. It is characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsive behavior. ADHD affects the social, academic, and psychological aspects of children and adolescents. Children with ADHD struggle with school tasks and performance. They have lower grades than their peers and have difficulties interacting with their friends.Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a mental disorder characterized by disruptive behavior, a pattern of angry and irritable mood, argumentative, and vindictive behavior. Children with ODD struggle with forming friendships and have problems at school. Conduct disorder (CD) is divided into the childhood onset and the adolescent onset types. The childhood onset is associated with poor outcomes in adulthood, an increase in criminal behavior, violence, and progression to antisocial behavior. Children with CD are at increased risk for substance use disorders (SUD) and antisocial personality disorder. The current literature review is aiming to provide an overview of the psychosocial impact of comorbid ODD and CD in children with ADHD. The results of this study review showed the comorbidity of ODD and CD is very strong. ODD is a strong predictor of CD in boys. The presence of comorbid ODD and ADHD in children is a significant predictor of adolescent onset CD. The comorbidity of ADHD with ODD and CD worsens symptom severity and is associated with high psychosocial dysfunction. Children with ADHD and comorbid ODD and CD have difficulties with school, friends, and trouble with the police.

Conduct disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as risk factors for prescription opioid use

BackgroundExisting studies of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder (CD), and substance use or substance use disorders have produced mixed results, with some identifying a direct link between ADHD and general or disordered substance use and others suggesting that comorbid CD may explain this relationship. Insufficient research has addressed the issue, which is particularly relevant in the context of the opioid crisis. This study examined the association of probable ADHD and childhood CD with self-reported opioid use in a general-population sample. MethodThe 2011–2013 cycles of the CAMH Monitor, a cross-sectional survey of adults (18+ years) from Ontario, Canada provided data from 6074 respondents. Binary logistic regressions were conducted of self-reported medical, non-medical, and any prescription opioid use in the previous 12 months, assessing demographic characteristics, perceived physical and mental health, and probable ADHD, childhood (before age 15 years) symptoms of CD, or their combination. ResultsAdjusting for potential covariates, probable ADHD alone was not associated with prescription opioid use. Childhood symptoms of CD significantly predicted non-medical use (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.10, 4.03). ADHD and CD symptoms combined significantly predicted medical (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.20, 8.91), non-medical (OR = 4.73, 95% CI = 1.05, 21.30), and any (OR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.13, 8.11) prescription opioid use, although a low base rate of non-medical use may have negatively affected model fit. ConclusionsPrevious findings relating ADHD to opioid use could be explained, in part, by the high rate of comorbidity between ADHD and CD. These data support prevention and treatment programs targeting individuals with comorbid ADHD and CD symptoms.

Adolescent-Parent Agreement on Callous-Unemotional Traits in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

This study examined the levels of agreement between the reports of 207 adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their parents regarding the adolescents’ callous–unemotional (CU) traits and investigated the factors influencing adolescent–parent agreement. Adolescent–parent agreement about CU traits in three dimensions according to the Chinese version of the Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits was examined. The influence of demographic characteristics, comorbid conduct disorder (CD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and ADHD symptoms on adolescent–parent agreement was also examined. The results indicated that adolescent–parent agreement on the CU trait of uncaringness was moderate, whereas agreement on the CU traits of callousness and unemotionality was poor. Adolescent–parent agreement on the three dimensions of CU traits varied depending on the adolescents’ sex and comorbid CD and ODD symptoms as well as parental age. Therefore, multiple sources of information are required when assessing the severity of CU traits in adolescents with ADHD. The factors influencing the levels of the agreement should also be considered.

Facial Emotion Recognition and Eye Gaze in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With and Without Comorbid Conduct Disorder

ObjectiveConduct disorder (CD) is associated with impairments in facial emotion recognition. However, CD commonly co-occurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); thus, it is unclear whether these impairments are explained by ADHD or by one of its core features—inattention. We explored whether emotion recognition impairments are specific to individuals with ADHD and comorbid CD while also examining the mechanisms that might explain such deficits.MethodA total of 63 male and female adolescents with ADHD (mean age = 14.2 years, age range = 11–18 years) and with (ADHD+CD) or without (ADHD) comorbid CD, and 41 typically developing controls (healthy controls [HC]; mean age = 15.5, age range = 11–18 years) performed an emotion recognition task with concurrent eye-tracking.ResultsParticipants with ADHD+CD were less accurate at recognizing fear and neutral faces, and more likely to confuse fear with anger than participants with ADHD alone and HC. Both ADHD subgroups fixated the eye region less than HC. Although there was a negative correlation between ADHD symptom severity and eye fixation duration, only CD severity was inversely related to emotion recognition accuracy.ConclusionOnly ADHD participants with comorbid CD showed impairments in emotion recognition, suggesting that these deficits are specific to individuals with conduct problems. However, lack of attention to the eye region of faces appears to be a characteristic of ADHD. These findings suggest that emotion recognition impairments in those with ADHD+CD are related to misinterpretation rather than poor attention, offering interesting opportunities for intervention.

Neurocognitive characteristics of youth with noncomorbid and comorbid forms of conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ObjectiveStudies investigating neurocognitive deficits in youth with conduct disorder (CD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often confounded by the high rates of comorbidity between the two. MethodNeurocognitive functioning was examined in three diagnostic groups (ADHD only, CD only, comorbid ADHD and CD) matched by age, sex, IQ, and medication status (n=28–32 per group). ResultsNo significant differences emerged between the diagnostic groups on measures of risk-taking or response inhibition. Children with CD performed better on a measure of spatial planning than those with comorbid ADHD and CD, and dimensional analyses in the full sample (n=265) revealed a small association between ADHD symptoms and poorer spatial planning. ConclusionThese results suggest that deficits in spatial planning may be more pronounced in individuals with ADHD, but that the neurocognitive functioning of youth with noncomorbid and comorbid CD and ADHD are largely similar.

Predictors of Long-Term School-Based Behavioral Outcomes in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

To explore predictors of 8-year school-based behavioral outcomes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We examined potential baseline predictors of school-based behavioral outcomes in children who completed the 8-year follow-up in the multimodal treatment study of children with ADHD. Stepwise logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified baseline predictors that were associated with a higher risk of truancy, school discipline, and in-school fights. Stepwise regression analysis explained between 8.1% (in-school fights) and 12.0% (school discipline) of the total variance in school-based behavioral outcomes. Logistic regression identified several baseline characteristics that were associated with school-based behavioral difficulties 8 years later, including being male (associated with truancy and school discipline), African American (school discipline, in-school fights), increased conduct disorder (CD) symptoms (truancy), decreased affection from parents (school discipline), ADHD severity (in-school fights), and study site (truancy and school discipline). ROC analyses identified the most discriminative predictors of truancy, school discipline, and in-school fights, which were Aggression and Conduct Problem Scale Total score, family income, and race, respectively. A modest, but nontrivial portion of school-based behavioral outcomes, was predicted by baseline childhood characteristics. Exploratory analyses identified modifiable (lack of paternal involvement, lower parental knowledge of behavioral principles, and parental use of physical punishment), somewhat modifiable (income and having comorbid CD), and nonmodifiable (African American and male) factors that were associated with school-based behavioral difficulties. Future research should confirm that the associations between earlier specific parenting behaviors and poor subsequent school-based behavioral outcomes are, indeed, causally related and independent cooccurring childhood psychopathology. Future research might target increasing paternal involvement and parental knowledge of behavioral principles and reducing use of physical punishment to improve school-based behavioral outcomes in children with ADHD.

Acute effects of methylphenidate on impulsivity and attentional behavior among adolescents comorbid for ADHD and conduct disorder

Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) experience deficits in neuropsychological measures of attention, inhibition, and reward processes. Methylphenidate treatment for ADHD and CD has acute effects on these processes. Some of these same aspects of performance are separately described in the Behavioral Model of Impulsivity, which uses a modified approach to measurement. This study characterized the acute effects of methylphenidate attention, initiation, inhibition, and reward processes described in this model of impulsivity. Thirty-one adolescents from the United States of America with comorbid ADHD and CD completed measures of impulsivity (response initiation, response inhibition, and consequence) and attention following placebo, 20 mg, and 40 mg of a long-acting dose of methylphenidate. Methylphenidate effects on attentional performance was more robust than on any of the measures of impulsivity. Adolescent performance from this behavioral perspective is interpreted in the context of divergence from previous neuropsychological tests of acute methylphenidate effects.

Glucocorticoid receptor variants in childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and comorbid psychiatric disorders.

Stress results in a variety of neuroendocrine, immune and behavioral responses and represents a risk factor for many disorders. Following exposure to stress, glucocorticoids are secreted from the adrenal cortex and act via the ligand-activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Several polymorphisms of the GR-encoding gene NR3C1 have been described and functionally investigated. However, the impact of these variants on complex diseases such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is still unclear. In this study, 251 children with ADHD, 19 affected and 35 unaffected siblings, and their parents were included in a family-based association study assessing seven common variants of NR3C1 (TthIIII_rs10052957; NR3C1-I_rs10482605; ER22/23EK_rs6189/rs6190; N363S_rs56149945; BclI_rs41423247; GR-9beta_rs6198). A four-marker haplotype (TthIIII-NR3C1-I-ER22/23EK) was nominally associated with ADHD. In addition, in index children with ADHD, associations with comorbid disorders, inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were explored. N363S minor allele carriers were more likely to show comorbid conduct disorder (CD). In our study, NR3C1 variants moderately affected ADHD and had a significant effect on comorbid CD. Therefore, NR3C1 as an important gene of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis seems to be particularly relevant for the pathophysiology of ADHD combined with comorbid CD. For a deeper understanding, investigations in larger samples of healthy, ADHD and CD individuals are warranted.

Further Evidence for Smoking and Substance Use Disorders in Youth With Bipolar Disorder and Comorbid Conduct Disorder

Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a highly morbid disorder increasingly recognized in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the relative risk for substance use disorders (SUDs; alcohol or drug abuse or dependence) and cigarette smoking in adolescents with BPD. We evaluated the relative risk for SUDs and cigarette smoking in a case-controlled, 5-year prospective follow-up of adolescents with (n = 105, mean ± SD baseline age = 13.6 ± 2.5 years) and without ("controls"; n = 98, baseline age = 13.7 ± 2.1 years) BPD. Seventy-three percent of subjects were retained at follow-up (BPD: n = 68; controls: n = 81; 73% reascertainment). Our main outcomes were assessed by blinded structured interviews for DSM-IV criteria. Maturing adolescents with BPD, compared to controls, were more likely to endorse higher rates of SUD (49% vs 26%; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1-3.6; P = .02) and cigarette smoking (49% vs 17%; HR = 2.9; 95% CI, 1.4-6.1; P = .004), as well as earlier onset of SUD (14.9 ± 2.6 [SD] years vs 16.5 ± 1.6 [SD] years; t = 2.6; P = .01). Subjects with conduct disorder (CD) were more likely to have SUD and nicotine dependence than subjects with BPD alone or controls (all P values < .05). When we added conduct disorder to the model with socioeconomic status and parental SUD, all associations lost significance (all P values > .05). Subjects with the persistence of a BPD diagnosis were also more likely to endorse cigarette smoking and SUD in comparison to those who lost a BPD diagnosis or controls at follow-up. The results provide further evidence that adolescents with BPD, particularly those with comorbid CD, are significantly more likely to endorse cigarette smoking and SUDs when compared to their non-mood disordered peers. These findings indicate that youth with BPD should be carefully monitored for comorbid CD and the development of cigarette smoking and SUDs.

The Association Between ADHD and Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Objective: Children with ADHD have an increased risk of later developing personality disorders and criminal behavior. The object of the present review is to analyze the associations between ADHD and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Method: A review of literature was done using EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Medline databases. Results: Eighteen prospective studies (n = 5,501) showed that ADHD with and without comorbid conduct disorder (CD) is a strong predictor for the risk of later development of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Some of the 13 cross-sectional/retrospective studies (n = 2,451) suggested that ADHD and CD might be a separate subtype of ADHD, that especially impulsivity in ADHD is a predictor for later development of ASPD, or that callous-unemotional traits in the ADHD children are called for a risk factor for later ASPD. Conclusion: There is an increased risk for children with ADHD with or without comorbid CD to develop later onset of antisocial personality disorder.

ADHD in Childhood and/or Adulthood as a Risk Factor for Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review

Objective: To date, treatment programs for adult domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) have had minimal impact. To make treatment more effective, programs should be adjusted to psychopathology of the offender. As emotional lability and poor emotional self-regulation and self-control are common features of ADHD, it may play a pivotal role as a predictor for adult DV/IPV. Method: This systematic review synthesizes the available evidence for childhood and/or adult ADHD being a risk factor for DV/IPV. Results: Four case control studies and three cohort studies were included in the review. Although three case control studies showed positive associations between childhood and/or adult ADHD and adult DV/IPV, two did insufficiently control for the presence of comorbid Conduct Disorder (CD) or Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). Conclusion: Cohort studies identified hyperactive, impulsive, and inattention symptoms as risk factors for adult IPV. CD and ASPD were regarded as mediators in three studies.

Cortisol levels at baseline and under stress in adolescent males with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, with or without comorbid conduct disorder

Reported findings on cortisol reactivity to stress in young people with ADHD are very variable. This inconsistency may be explained by high rates of comorbidity with Conduct Disorder (CD). The present study examined cortisol responses to a psychosocial stressor in a large sample of adolescent males with ADHD (n=202), with or without a comorbid diagnosis of Conduct Disorder (CD). Associations between stress reactivity and callous-unemotional traits and internalizing symptoms were also assessed. The ADHD only (n=95) and ADHD+CD (n=107) groups did not differ in baseline cortisol, but the ADHD+CD group showed significantly reduced cortisol stress reactivity relative to the ADHD only group. Regression analyses indicated that ADHD symptom severity predicted reduced baseline cortisol, whereas CD symptom severity predicted increased baseline cortisol (ADHD β=−0.24, CD β=0.16, R=0.26) and reduced cortisol stress reactivity (β=−0.17, R=0.17). Callous-unemotional traits and internalizing symptoms were not significantly related to baseline or stress-induced cortisol. Impaired cortisol reactivity is hypothesised to reflect fearlessness and is associated with deficient emotion regulation and inhibition of aggressive and antisocial behaviour. Consequently, it may partly explain the greater severity of problems seen in those with comorbid ADHD and CD.

The influence of shift work on systolic and diastolic pressure, pulse pressure, and dipping patterns on healthy medicine residents

Conduct disorder (CD) is associated with impairments in facial emotion recognition. However, CD commonly co-occurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); thus, it is unclear whether these impairments are explained by ADHD or by one of its core features—inattention. We explored whether emotion recognition impairments are specific to individuals with ADHD and comorbid CD while also examining the mechanisms that might explain such deficits.A total of 63 male and female adolescents with ADHD (mean age = 14.2 years, age range = 11–18 years) and with (ADHD+CD) or without (ADHD) comorbid CD, and 41 typically developing controls (healthy controls [HC]; mean age = 15.5, age range = 11–18 years) performed an emotion recognition task with concurrent eye-tracking.Participants with ADHD+CD were less accurate at recognizing fear and neutral faces, and more likely to confuse fear with anger than participants with ADHD alone and HC. Both ADHD subgroups fixated the eye region less than HC. Although there was a negative correlation between ADHD symptom severity and eye fixation duration, only CD severity was inversely related to emotion recognition accuracy.Only ADHD participants with comorbid CD showed impairments in emotion recognition, suggesting that these deficits are specific to individuals with conduct problems. However, lack of attention to the eye region of faces appears to be a characteristic of ADHD. These findings suggest that emotion recognition impairments in those with ADHD+CD are related to misinterpretation rather than poor attention, offering interesting opportunities for intervention.