Neurocognitive phenotypes among adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A latent profile analysis

Neurocognitive performance in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is heterogeneous; some individuals with ADHD demonstrate neurocognitive deficits while others display none. Attempts to establish a singular neurocognitive profile of ADHD have been unsuccessful. Latent class clustering techniques offer a more granular method of examining interindividual and intraindividual heterogeneity in ADHD. There may be distinct neurocognitive phenotypes among the population of adults with ADHD.

This study utilized latent profile analysis on performance validity-controlled neuropsychological assessment data from a sample of 386 adults with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD.

Three classes were observed. One class with specific deficits in learning and memory ("Low Learning/Memory"), one had intact performance across domains ("High Average"), and one had deficits in simple and sustained attention and response variability ("Inattentive"). Cross-class comparisons revealed adequate multivariate and univariate differences to support taxometric separation across phenotypes. Classes displayed medium-sized differences in estimated intelligence, small differences in ADHD-related inattention and impulsivity, and small differences in symptoms of anxiety and depression. There were no class differences in composition of sex, race/ethnicity, ADHD diagnostic presentation (i.e., inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, combined), co-occurring diagnoses of mood or learning disorders, history of ADHD diagnosis/treatment, or student status.

The present study represents a critical early step in establishing distinct neurocognitive phenotypes among adults with ADHD based on their individual strengths and weaknesses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).