Cognitive Control Deficits in Children With Subthreshold Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Caiqi Chen1,2,3,4, Zhuangyang Li5, Xiqin Liu6
1School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|April 1, 2022
Summary
Children with subthreshold Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show similar attention deficits and reduced cognitive control capacity as those with full ADHD. These findings highlight cognitive challenges in subthreshold ADHD cases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is linked to cognitive control deficits.
- Subthreshold ADHD presents some ADHD symptoms but doesn't meet full diagnostic criteria.
- The cognitive control capacity (CCC) in subthreshold ADHD remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate attention functions and cognitive control capacity (CCC) in children with ADHD.
- To compare cognitive performance between children with ADHD, subthreshold ADHD, and typically developing peers.
- To clarify if subthreshold ADHD is associated with cognitive control deficits.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study design.
- Inclusion of three groups: ADHD (n=39), subthreshold ADHD (n=34), and typically developing (TD) children (n=36).
- Assessment of attention functions and cognitive control capacity, including flanker conflict effect.
Main Results:
- Both ADHD and subthreshold ADHD groups demonstrated impaired executive attention, evidenced by an increased flanker conflict effect.
- Reduced cognitive control capacity (CCC) was observed in both ADHD and subthreshold ADHD groups.
- No significant differences in attention function or CCC were found between the ADHD and subthreshold ADHD groups.
Conclusions:
- Children with subthreshold ADHD exhibit cognitive control and attention function deficits comparable to those with full ADHD.
- Subthreshold ADHD, despite not meeting full diagnostic criteria, is associated with significant cognitive impairments.
- These findings underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing cognitive challenges in subthreshold ADHD populations.
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