Comparison of Neuropsychological Functioning Between Adults With Early- and Late-Onset DSM-5 ADHD
Journal
Journal of Attention Disorders
Journal Volume
24
Journal Issue
1
Pages
29-40
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Lin Y.-J.
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to compare the visually dependent neuropsychological functioning among adults with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) ADHD who recalled symptom onset by and after age 7 and non-ADHD controls. Method: We divided the participants, aged 17 to 40 years, into three groups—(a) ADHD, onset <7 years (early-onset, n = 142); (b) ADHD, onset between 7 and <12 years (late-onset, n = 41); (c) non-ADHD controls ( n = 148)—and compared their neuropsychological functioning, measured by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery. Results: Both ADHD groups had deficits in attention and signal detectability, spatial working memory, and short-term spatial memory, but only the early-onset group showed deficits in alertness, set-shifting, and planning after controlling for age, sex, and psychiatric comorbidities. There was no statistical difference between the two ADHD groups in neuropsychological functioning. Conclusion: DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing adult ADHD are not too lax regarding neuropsychological functioning.
SDGs
Type
journal article