Objectives: Literature presents conflicting results regarding malocclusions, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and sleep bruxism in children with ADHD. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these parameters.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 40 consecutive ADHD children referred to the Paediatric Dentistry Unit of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome. All subjects underwent an orthodontic examination and were screened for OSA and sleep bruxism. Data were compared to a sex- and aged-matched control group.
Results: Prevalence of high risk of OSA in children with ADHD was 62.5% compared to 10% in the control group (p < .00001). No differences were found in any of the occlusal variables examined between children with ADHD and controls (p > .05). An increased prevalence of sleep bruxism was observed in ADHD children (40%) compared to controls (7.5%) (p < .001).
Conclusions: A higher prevalence of OSA risk and probable sleep bruxism were observed in ADHD patients compared with controls. No significant differences were observed in malocclusions d.
Objective: Internalizing psychopathology commonly co-occurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Attention concerns are present in both ADHD and internalizing disorders, yet the neuropsychological functioning of those with comorbid ADHD and internalizing psychopathology is underexamined.
Method: This study compared Conners' Continuous Performance Test-Third Edition (CPT-3) profiles across ADHD (n = 141), internalizing psychopathology (n = 78), and comorbid (ADHD/internalizing psychopathology; n = 240) groups.
Results: Compared to the internalizing psychopathology group, the comorbid group had higher mean T-scores on CPT-3 indices indicative of inattentiveness and impulsivity and more clinically elevated T-scores (T>60) on indices measuring inattentiveness and impaired sustained attention. Patients in the comorbid group were also more likely to have abnormal overall CPT-3 profiles (>2 elevated T-scores) than the ADHD and psychopathology only groups.
Conclusion: Patients with comorbid ADHD/internalizing psychopathology may evidence a more impaired attentional performance on the CPT-3, which could aid in more tailored treatment planning.
Objective: We aimed to identify unique patterns of eye-movements measures reflecting inattentive reading among adults with and without ADHD.
Method & results: We recorded eye-movements during uninterrupted text reading of typically developed (TD) and ADHD adults. First, we found significantly longer reading time for the ADHD group than the TD group. Further, we detected cases in which words were reread more than twice and found that such occasions were much more frequent in participants with ADHD than in TD participants. Moreover, we discovered that the first reading pass of these words was less sensitive to the length of the word than the first pass of words read only once, indicating a less meaningful reading.
Conclusion: We propose that high rate of words that were reread is a correlate of inattentive reading which is more pronounced among ADHD readers. Implications of the findings in the context of reading comprehension are discussed.
Objective: This study investigated subfactors of cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS; previously referred as sluggish cognitive tempo) among adults referred for neuropsychological evaluation of attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Method: Retrospective analyses of data from 164 outpatient neuropsychological evaluations examined associations between CDS subfactors and self-reported psychological symptoms and cognitive performance.
Results: Factor analysis produced two distinct but positively correlated constructs: "Cognitive Complaints'' and "Lethargy." Both correlated positively with symptom reports (rs = 0.26-0.57). Cognitive Complaints correlated negatively with working memory, processing speed, and executive functioning performance (rs = -0.21 to -0.37), whereas Lethargy correlated negatively only with processing speed and executive functioning performance (rs = -0.26 to -0.42). Both predicted depression symptoms, but only Cognitive Complaints predicted inattention symptoms. Both subfactors demonstrated modest to nonsignificant associations with cognitive performance after accounting for estimated premorbid intelligence and inattention.
Conclusion: Findings indicate a bidimensional conceptualization of CDS, with differential associations between its constituent subfactors, reported symptoms, and cognitive performance.
Objective: To review the literature on the utility of the Conners CPT-3 in persons with ADHD.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Six databases were searched using inclusion criteria: research studies, year 2000+, English, and ages 8+. Two raters independently screened 1,480 title/abstracts and subsequently reviewed 399 full texts. Data extraction and critical appraisal were conducted. Reflective thematic analysis through inductive coding identified qualitative themes.
Results: Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria with five themes identified. Five studies found CPT-3 was a weak or poor predictor of ADHD diagnosis while two found it was an adequate predictor. Two studies found CPT-3 could differentiate clients with comorbid ADHD/anxiety from ADHD or ADHD from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One found CPT-3 could not differentiate ADHD from ASD or comorbid ADHD/ASD.
Conclusions: Results revealed CPT-3 as a standalone measure is a weak or poor predictor of ADHD. Multiple measures for evaluating persons with ADHD are recommended.
Objective: To compare PRC-063 (multilayer-release methylphenidate) and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) on the driving performance of young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study.
Method: Following up to 21 days of each treatment in each treatment course (PRC-063/LDX or LDX/PRC-063), subjects completed a 15-hour driving simulator laboratory assessment. The primary outcome measure was the Tactical Driving Quotient (TDQ) and the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scale was a secondary outcome measure.
Results: Forty-four subjects completed the study. PRC-063 and LDX had equivalent effects on driving performance through a 15-hour time period (least square mean difference -0.3 [standard error 1.08], 95% confidence interval [-2.4, 1.8], p = .793). Consistent improvement in CGI-I was observed. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar for each treatment sequence.
Conclusions: PRC-063 and LDX had comparable effects on driving performance, from 1 through 15 hours, the last time point measured.
Objective: This study examines the impact of visual and auditory distractors on attention and inhibition in children with and without ADHD.
Method: The study used the MOXO d-CPT child version. The sample consisted of 208 children aged 8 to 12 years, including 64 with ADHD and 144 controls.
Results: Children with ADHD and controls differed in their reaction to distracting stimuli; visual distractors cause a higher decrease in sustained attention and inhibitory control in the ADHD group. Moreover, auditory distractors generate improved performance in the control group but not in the ADHD group. In addition, age-related effects were found in both sustained attention and inhibitory control in all children, regardless of whether the ADHD condition was present.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that children with ADHD performed poorer compared to controls, and that distractors differently affected the performance of the two groups.
Objective: We aimed to evaluate eye and head movements, which are objective parameters in ADHD. Method: While the children were watching the course video task, which included the relevant (teacher and smart board) and irrelevant (any regions outside the relevant area) areas of interest, their eye movements were evaluated through eye tracking, and video recordings were made simultaneous. Head position estimation was made using through video recordings. The proportion of total fixation duration on areas of interest (PFDAOI) and saccade count, amplitude, velocity for eye movements, number of total head movements and angular change of head movement in x-y-z axes for head movements were compared.
Results: Children with ADHD had lower PFDAOI on the relevant area, and had more saccade and head movements The angular change of head movement in the x-axis was higher in the ADHD group.
Conclusion: In the assessment of ADHD, the eye and head movements may be particulary useful.