Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 23, 2025

Using Brain Activation nir-HEG/Q-EEG and Execution Measures CPTs in a ADHD Assessment Protocol
13:09

Using Brain Activation nir-HEG/Q-EEG and Execution Measures CPTs in a ADHD Assessment Protocol

Published on: April 1, 2018

10.8K

The Role of Executive and General Cognitive Functioning in the Attention Problems of Very and Extremely Preterm

Robert Eves1, Adrian von Mühlenen1, Marina Mendonça1

  • 1Department of Psychology and Division of Mental Health & Wellbeing, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|April 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Adults born very preterm/very low birth weight (VP/VLBW) and extremely preterm (EP) face higher risks of attention problems. These attention deficits are linked to early childhood cognitive ability and adult executive functioning.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm birth, including very preterm/very low birth weight (VP/VLBW) and extremely preterm (EP) birth, is a significant global health concern.
  • Attention problems are frequently observed in individuals born preterm, but the underlying cognitive mechanisms require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between attention problems in adults born VP/VLBW or EP and specific executive or general cognitive deficits.
  • To determine if childhood intelligence and adult executive functions mediate the relationship between preterm birth and attention issues.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study design comparing VP/VLBW (Bavarian Longitudinal Study) and EP (EPICure Study) cohorts with their respective control groups.
  • Assessment of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms via self-report, parent-report (BLS), and observer-rated attention spans.
  • Hierarchical regression analyses to examine the influence of executive functioning (inhibitory control, working memory), childhood IQ, and sex on attention problems.

Main Results:

  • VP/VLBW and EP individuals exhibited lower observer-rated attention spans compared to controls.
  • Parent-rated inattention was higher in VP/VLBW adults, but self-reported ADHD symptoms did not differ significantly between preterm and control groups.
  • In the BLS cohort, inhibitory control and childhood IQ were associated with parent-rated inattention, while working memory and childhood IQ were linked to observer-rated attention spans.

Conclusions:

  • Adults born VP/VLBW and EP are at an elevated risk for observer-rated attention problems.
  • These attention difficulties are primarily associated with general cognitive ability deficits identified in early childhood, with a secondary contribution from adult executive functioning.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD10:02

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Published on: March 12, 2020

16.5K
Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control09:37

Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control

Published on: July 5, 2015

9.4K

Related Concept Videos

Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
402
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
650
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory01:14

Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
908
Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
696
High-Level and Low-Level Awareness01:19

High-Level and Low-Level Awareness

Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...
562
Cognitive Development During Adulthood01:30

Cognitive Development During Adulthood

Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
681