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Asymmetrical visual-spatial attentional performance in ADHD: evidence for a right hemispheric deficit
C S Carter1, P Krener, M Chaderjian
1Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Biological Psychiatry
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) exhibit visual-spatial attention deficits, particularly in right-hemisphere processing. This impacts their ability to orient attention, potentially linked to frontal-striatal activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and hyperactivity.
- Visual-spatial attention deficits have been observed in children with ADHD, but the specific hemispheric involvement requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm a lateralizing deficit in visual-spatial attention in children with ADHD.
- To characterize the nature of this deficit and identify the likely hemispheric locus of dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Administered two versions of the covert orienting of attention procedure (evaluating endogenous and exogenous cuing) to 20 unmedicated children with ADHD (aged 9-12) and 20 matched controls.
- Conducted thorough psychiatric assessments and administered the TOVA and Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST).
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD demonstrated an asymmetrical performance deficit.
- This deficit was characterized by a loss of costs in controlled (endogenous) attentional orienting towards invalidly cued left visual field targets.
- The degree of cost asymmetry negatively correlated with WCST performance.
Conclusions:
- Unmedicated children with ADHD exhibit an asymmetrical performance deficit in covert orienting, indicating a disruption of right hemispheric attentional mechanisms.
- This deficit may be associated with reduced right hemispheric frontal-striatal catecholamine activity.