[Neuropsychological assessment of ADHD subtypes]

Starting from a discussion of the validity of neuropsychological methods for the diagnosis of ADHD the results of an own study are presented. What is the diagnostic value of the German version of the CPT (Continuous Performance Task) and the DAT (Dortmunder Aufmerksamkeitstest) in discriminating ADHD subtypes (according to DSM-IV) and in which areas do the children of each subtype differ from a control group of normal children? The computer versions of the CPT and DAT were administered to 14 boys with the "combined subtype" of ADHD, 14 boys with the "predominantly inattentive type" of ADHD and 18 boys without clinical signs; all groups were matched in age and intelligence. Subsequently the mean differences between the various test parameters were assessed as to their significance. Contrary to other studies there were no significant differences either between both ADHS types or relative to the control group with regard to the CPT omission errors and the reaction time. There were differences in the reaction variability both between the ADHD subtypes and relative to the control group. Only the "combined subtype", not the "pre-dominantly inattentive type" differed from the control group as to the CPT commission errors. Regarding the DAT, there were significant differences between all three groups regarding both the solution quality and the response delay.