Neuropsychological assessment of attention in adults with different subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

There is only little information about varying attention functions of adults with different DSM-IV subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In the present study groups of adult patients with ADHD - predominantly inattentive type, ADHD - predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type or ADHD - combined type and three healthy control groups were compared regarding multiple components of attention. Assessment of attention was performed using a computerized neuropsychological test battery for attentional functions. In comparison with healthy subjects, the three patient groups displayed impairments of vigilance, selective attention, divided attention, and flexibility. These impairments of attention of ADHD subgroups were primarily observed with regard to reaction time. With regard to tonic and phasic alertness no differences between patient and control groups could be found. Comparison between ADHD subgroups revealed that DSM-IV subtypes of ADHD differ in measures of divided attention, selective attention and flexibility. Differences between ADHD subgroups were primarily observed with regard to task accuracy. The results suggest that while distinct profiles of attentional functioning were observed between adult patients with ADHD and healthy adults indicating gross disturbances of various attention functions in patients with ADHD, differences between ADHD subgroups were only weak.