Interference and negative priming effects in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often associated with deficits in executive functions, including inhibitory control and susceptibility to interference.
• Previous research suggests individuals with ADHD exhibit greater interference and reduced negative priming effects compared to neurotypical peers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential differences in susceptibility to interference and inhibitory cognitive control between adolescents with ADHD and age-matched controls.
• To compare performance on visual selective attention tasks, specifically the Stroop test and negative priming tasks.

Main Methods:

• Utilized three visual selective attention tasks: Stroop color and word naming test for interference and two conceptual negative priming tasks for distractor inhibition.
• Assessed 16 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 45 similar-aged control participants.

Main Results:

• The ADHD group was consistently slower in naming target stimuli compared to the control group.
• No significant differences were found between the ADHD and control groups in terms of interference on the Stroop task or negative priming effects.

Conclusions:

• Contrary to prevailing literature, this study found no differences in interference or negative priming between adolescents with ADHD and controls.
• While processing speed may be affected, core inhibitory control and interference susceptibility appear comparable in this ADHD cohort.