The neurobehavioral correlates of error processing in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and their...

Individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) face stigma in a society that values efficiency and self-control, with their behaviors often misattributed to inattention or recklessness rather than neurophysiological mechanisms. This study examined error processing deficits in adults with ADHD using event-related potentials (ERPs).

Twenty-eight adults with ADHD and 22 healthy controls completed a Continuous Performance Task (CPT) while undergoing EEG recording. ERP analysis focused on error-related negativity (Ne/ERN), linked to automatic error detection, and error positivity (Pe), associated with conscious error evaluation.

Although reaction times did not differ significantly, ADHD patients showed greater response variability, increased omission and commission errors, and reduced stimulus detectability. After adjusting for anxiety, depression, and the number of valid trials, Ne amplitude did not differ between groups, whereas individuals with ADHD showed significantly reduced Pe amplitude. Within the ADHD group, prolonged Ne latency correlated with increased commission errors and faster responses, while lower Pe amplitude was linked to more commission errors and higher reaction time variability. Ne amplitude was negatively associated with motor impulsivity.

These findings highlight primary deficits in conscious error-monitoring processes, shedding light on altered neurophysiological mechanisms underlying impulsivity in adult ADHD.

This study provides insights into ADHD-related impulsivity, potentially informing future interventions for executive dysfunction.