Inhibitory control and delay aversion in unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Background: From current theories on the etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it can be inferred that delay aversion (DA) and deficits in inhibitory control (IC) constitute basic deficits or endophenotypes of the disorder that already occur in the preschool period. This implies an occurrence of the characteristics in unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of ADHD. Thus, it is hypothesized that preschoolers who are not affected by ADHD but who have first-degree relatives who suffer, or have suffered, from ADHD show deficits in IC and heightened DA in comparison to preschoolers from the general population.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity and comorbid symptoms in preschoolers: differences between subgroups in neuropsychological basic deficits.

Background: There is wide agreement on the heterogeneity of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Subgroups with specific comorbid problems, neuropsychological deficits, and developmental trajectories that start in preschool years have been assumed. We analyze whether corresponding subgroups at risk for ADHD development can be identified in a preschool sample and whether these subgroups show the assumed neuropsychological deficits.

Do different ADHD-related etiological risks involve specific neuropsychological pathways? An analysis of mediation processes by inhibitory control and delay aversion.

Background: Inhibitory control (IC) has been regarded as a neuropsychological basic deficit and as an endophenotype of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Implicated here are mediation processes between etiological factors and ADHD symptoms. We thus analyze whether and to what extent executive IC and delay aversion (DA; i.