ADHD Impulsivity Research Articles

A - 37 ADHD-Related Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Distinct or Overlapping Dimensions?

Abstract Objective It is debated whether hyperactivity and impulsivity should remain combined within the (DSM) hyperactivity/impulsivity domain or be separated. To address this dispute, we sought to determine whether hyperactivity and impulsivity are differentially related to executive functioning (EF), a common deficit area in ADHD. Method Participants included 120 children (ages 8–11; 89.9% White; 51.6% girls) from a community sample tested in a laboratory setting. To be included, they must have ADHD (59.4%) or be typically developing (40.6%). Hyperactivity and impulsivity scales were created from symptoms from a parent-report Behavior Assessment System for Children and DSM-IV questionnaire, ADHD section. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF) Working Memory scale (WMsc) and the Children’s Memory Scale Picture Locations (visuospatial sketchpad), Numbers Forward (phonological loop), and Sequences (central executive) subtests were used to assess working memory (WM). Inhibition was assessed with the BRIEF Inhibition scale (Isc) and A Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY) Tower Rule Violations (RV). Emotional control (EC) was measured with the BRIEF’s EC scale. Results Confirmatory linear regressions (SPSS Enter method) with all EF measures as IVs revealed Isc and WMsc were significant predictors of impulsivity [F(7,120) = 24.85, p < 0.001]. For hyperactivity [F(7,120) = 21.40, p < 0.001], WMsc, Isc, and RV were significant predictors. Exploratory analyses revealed WMsc was related to hyperactivity in controls but impulsivity in ADHD. Conclusions Similarities and differences were found between hyperactivity and impulsivity in relation to EF. Whereas inhibition was similarly related to hyperactivity and impulsivity, WM’s relationships were dissociable between groups. Hence, further research is needed, including areas affected in ADHD besides EF.

Distractibility and Impulsivity in ADHD as an Evolutionary Mismatch of High Trait Curiosity

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by symptoms that include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Recent research suggests that individuals with ADHD might exhibit higher levels of curiosity, which may be linked to their tendencies toward distractibility and impulsivity. This paper proposes an evolutionary mismatch hypothesis for high trait curiosity in ADHD, positing that ‘hypercuriosity’, which may have been adaptive in ancestral environments characterized by scarce resources and unpredictable risks, has become mismatched in industrialized societies where environments are more stable and information rich. The theory predicts that individuals with ADHD will demonstrate heightened levels of novelty-seeking and exploratory behaviors, manifesting as symptoms labeled as distractibility and impulsivity in modern environments. The paper explores the potential evolutionary benefits of high trait curiosity, the consequences of an evolutionary mismatch, and the implications for research and practice. The limitations of the theory are addressed, such as the need for more targeted research on curiosity in ADHD and potential differences among ADHD subtypes. Future research directions are proposed to refine and test the hypothesis, ultimately contributing to a more nuanced understanding of ADHD and informing the development of strength-based interventions. This theoretical framework offers a novel perspective on the adaptive value of ADHD traits and their manifestation in modern societies.

Association between diet and impulsivity in ADHD – results of the Eat2beNice-APPetite study

Association between diet and impulsivity in ADHD – results of the Eat2beNice-APPetite study

6.64 CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH ADHD: A META-ANALYSIS OF THE PREVALENCE OF BONE FRACTURES

Among children and adolescents, ADHD is a significant neurodevelopmental disorder with 5-percent prevalence. Bone fractures account for 25 percent of accidents and injuries among all children and adolescents. Considering the characteristics of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in ADHD, it is critical to analyze the prevalence of bone fractures among children and adolescents with ADHD.

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.

Specific cognitive-neurophysiological processes predict impulsivity in the childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder combined subtype.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders in childhood. Besides inattention and hyperactivity, impulsivity is the third core symptom leading to diverse and serious problems. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying impulsivity in ADHD are still not fully understood. This is all the more the case when patients with the ADHD combined subtype (ADHD-C) are considered who are characterized by both symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Combining high-density electroencephalography (EEG) recordings with source localization analyses, we examined what information processing stages are dysfunctional in ADHD-C (n = 20) compared with controls (n = 18). Patients with ADHD-C made more impulsive errors in a Go/No-go task than healthy controls. Neurophysiologically, different subprocesses from perceptual gating to attentional selection, resource allocation and response selection processes are altered in this patient group. Perceptual gating, stimulus-driven attention selection and resource allocation processes were more pronounced in ADHD-C, are related to activation differences in parieto-occipital networks and suggest attentional filtering deficits. However, only response selection processes, associated with medial prefrontal networks, predicted impulsive errors in ADHD-C. Although the clinical picture of ADHD-C is complex and a multitude of processing steps are altered, only a subset of processes seems to directly modulate impulsive behaviour. The present findings improve the understanding of mechanisms underlying impulsivity in patients with ADHD-C and might help to refine treatment algorithms focusing on impulsivity.

Preference for Smaller Sooner Over Larger Later Rewards in ADHD: Contribution of Delay Duration and Paradigm Type

Objective: Individuals with ADHD preferentially choose smaller sooner (SS) over larger later (LL) rewards, termed impulsive choice. This has been observed to different degrees on single-choice and more complex discounting tasks using various types of rewards and durations of delays. There has been no direct comparison of performance of ADHD children using these two paradigms. Method: Two experimental paradigms, single-choice and temporal discounting, each including two delay conditions (13 and 25 s), were administered to 7- to 9-year-old children with ADHD (n = 17) and matched controls (n = 24). Results: Individuals with ADHD chose more SS rewards than controls on both tasks, but in the long delay condition only. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that delay durations rather than paradigm types determine laboratory-based measures of choice impulsivity in ADHD.

Environmental Stimulation Does Not Reduce Impulsive Choice in ADHD

Objective: The preference for sooner smaller over larger later rewards is a prominent manifestation of impulsivity in ADHD. According to the State Regulation Deficit (SRD) model, this impulsive choice is the result of impaired regulation of arousal level and can be alleviated by adding environmental stimulation to increase levels of arousal. Method: To test this prediction, we studied the effects of adding background “pink noise” on impulsive choice using a classical and new adjusting choice delay task in a sample of 25 children with ADHD and 28 controls. Results: Children with ADHD made more impulsive choices than controls. Adding noise did not reduce impulsive choice in ADHD. Conclusion: The findings add to the existing evidence on impulsive choice in ADHD, but no evidence is found for the SRD model’s explanation of this behavioral style. Alternative explanations for impulsive choice in ADHD are discussed.

ADHD Impulsivity, Discipline Referrals, Sexual Harassment, and Criminal Sexual Deviancy

© 2011 The Guilford Press The ADHD Report • 1 Children and adolescents with impulsive tendencies have a difficult time due to the fact that they usually receive negative attention or consequences for their inability to control their behavior. Behaviors such as grabbing for a toy, not waiting one’s turn, or being unable to follow directions are characteristics of impulsive children. These behaviors usually earn the child a stern look or a negative consequence by the supervising adult. As a child comes of age and moves into middle school years, impulsivity can lead to harsher consequences due to the different interpretations adults attach to impulsive behaviors. For instance, impulsive children’s not keeping their hands to themselves can be interpreted as bullying. A child’s inability to wait for his or her turn can elicit peer rejection. Failure or refusal to follow directions is labeled defiance, and inappropriate touching becomes sexual harassment. When children enter school and begin their formal education, the behavioral issues around impulsivity surface. Barkley (2006) describes impulsivity, or impaired impulse control, as the inability to stop and think before acting. The challenges start when children must interact in a group setting away from their families and must take directions from new adults in charge at each grade level. Each grade level transition presents new behavioral challenges. During the middle school years, peer influences are strongest, sexual identities begin to form, and for most children, puberty starts (Arnett, 2004). Puberty, with its hormonal and biological changes, is challenging for the preadolescent struggling with impulse control. Maughan, Rowe, Messer, Goodman, and Meltzer (2004) documented that behavior disorder risk rates peak around the middle school years, underscoring the importance of this particular transition time. The connection between childhood behavior problems and adult behavior problems has been well documented. For example, the risk of becoming an adult offender has been associated by some researchers with childhood conduct disorders—a persistent behavior pattern of violating basic rights of others and ignoring age-appropriate social standards (Satterfield & Schell, ADHD Impulsivity, Discipline Referrals, Sexual Harassment, and Criminal Sexual Deviancy

Rolandic spikes increase impulsivity in ADHD – A neuropsychological pilot study

The present study was designed to examine the association of Rolandic spikes with the neuropsychological profile of children with ADHD. A total of 48 children (mean age 9.4 ± 1.6 years, range 6.7–14.9 years; 16 ADHD children with Rolandic spikes, 16 ADHD children without epileptiform discharges and 16 healthy controls) matched for age, gender, and IQ were examined with a neuropsychological assessment battery focussing on attentional processing, cognitive efficiency, response inhibition, visuospatial and auditory-verbal short-term memory and language function (CPT-AX, Stroop, digit span, Complex Figure of Rey, Heidelberg Language Development Test). ADHD children with Rolandic spikes performed worse than ADHD children without epileptiform discharges and healthy controls in a variety of CPT and Stroop test measures. In particular, they made significantly more commission errors, reflecting impaired inhibition of an ongoing response. In addition, they had pronounced difficulties in the color word condition of the Stroop test and exhibited lower interference scores, indicating poorer interference control. Results of this pilot study suggest that in some ADHD children Rolandic spikes or an associated dysfunction aggravate the course of ADHD and predispose to increased impulsivity, evidenced in deficient inhibition of an ongoing response, and decreased interference control.

No Simple Solution To Childhood Insomnia

No Simple Solution To Childhood Insomnia