Citation

Huang-Pollock CL, Nigg JT, Halperin JM. Neuropsychology 2006; 20(4): 420-429.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. clh39@psu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/0894-4105.20.4.420

PMID

16846260

Abstract

Following a distributed network model of visuospatial attention, the authors used an A-X version of the Continuous Performance Test and a covert orienting paradigm to examine the vigilance, anterior, and posterior attention systems. Compared with control participants without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), children with the predominantly inattentive (ADHD-I) and combined (ADHD-C) subtypes had lower sensitivity (d') to detect targets from nontargets. Children with ADHD-C, but not ADHD-I, additionally had a highly activated response style (lnbeta). Performance for both subtypes decreased to a greater extent over time in a manner consistent with problems in sustained attention. Together, these results suggest the presence of vigilance system deficits in participants with both ADHD subtypes. However, consistent with previous meta-analytic work, there was no evidence for anterior or posterior system orienting dysfunctions in either subtype.

Language: en