Attention and Executive Function in Children Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbid Disorders.

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between comorbid disorders and executive function (EF) in children diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Methods: Three hundred and fifty-five, 6-12 year old children clinically diagnosed with ADHD were included in the study. Comorbid anxiety disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) were examined.

Physical activity experiences of boys with and without ADHD.

Physical activity experiences of 12 age-matched boys with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were explored by converging information from Test of Gross Motor Development-2 assessments and semistructured interviews. The knowledge-based approach and the inhibitory model of executive functions, a combined theoretical lens, enabled the description of similarities and differences in experiences that emerged during interviews. Skill assessments indicated boys with ADHD were not as proficient movers as their peers without ADHD.

Child and parent variables associated with treatment response in narcissistic youths: the role of self-blame and shame.

Introduction: this retrospective study aimed at exploring the impact of parental and youth narcissism on service utilization and response to psychotherapy.

Method: thirty-six 9-13 years-old narcissistic youths receiving a combined treatment (psychodynamic psychotherapy + parental counselling) were independently assessed for child pathological narcissism, parental narcissism, child's treatment attitude and psychiatric/ psychosocial services utilization.

Results: Parent and child narcissistic characteristics were negatively correlated with the use of OPD services.

Sensitivity of tests to assess improvement in ADHD symptomatology.

Objective: To assess which measurements best predict improvement on ADHD symptomatology after medication is given.

Methods: 147 children aged 6 to 12 years, diagnosed with ADHD, participated in a double-blind placebo controlled twoweek crossover trial of methylphenidate.

Results: There were statistically significant differences on all measures between placebo and medication.

Factor structure of the restricted academic situation scale: implications for ADHD.

Background: To study the factor structure of the Restricted Academic Situation Scale (RASS), a psychometric tool used to assess behavior in children with ADHD, 117 boys and 21 girls meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) criteria for ADHD and aged between 6 and 12 years were recruited. Assessments were carried out before and 65 min after the administration of either a placebo or 0.

Dopamine transporter 3'UTR VNTR genotype is a marker of performance on executive function tasks in children with ADHD.

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous disorder from both clinical and pathogenic viewpoints. Executive function deficits are considered among the most important pathogenic pathways leading to ADHD and may index part of the heterogeneity in this disorder.

Methods: To investigate the relationship between the dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3) 3'-UTR VNTR genotypes and executive function in children with ADHD, 196 children diagnosed with ADHD were sequentially recruited, genotyped, and tested using a battery of three neuropsychological tests aimed at assessing the different aspects of executive functioning.

Fundamental movement skills and children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: peer comparisons and stimulant effects.

The purpose of this study was to compare the fundamental movement skills of 22 children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), from 6 to 12 years of age, to gender- and age-matched peers without ADHD and assess the effects of stimulant medication on the movement skill performance of the children with ADHD. Repeated measures analyses revealed significant skill differences between children with and without ADHD (p View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Perinatal complications in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and their unaffected siblings.

Objectives: Genetic and nonshared environmental factors (experienced by 1 family member to the exclusion of the others) have been strongly implicated in the causes of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Pregnancy, labour/delivery and neonatal complications (PLDNC) have often been associated with ADHD; however, no investigations aimed at delineating the shared or nonshared nature of these factors have been reported. We aimed to identify those elements of the PLDNC that are more likely to be of a nonshared nature.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val108/158 Met polymorphism does not modulate executive function in children with ADHD.

Background: An association has been observed between the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, the predominant means of catecholamine catabolism within the prefrontal cortex (PFC), and neuropsychological task performance in healthy and schizophrenic adults. Since several of the cognitive functions typically deficient in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are mediated by prefrontal dopamine (DA) mechanisms, we investigated the relationship between a functional polymorphism of the COMT gene and neuropsychological task performance in these children.

Methods: The Val108/158 Met polymorphism of the COMT gene was genotyped in 118 children with ADHD (DSM-IV).