Probe-caught spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering in relation to self-reported inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive traits in adults.

Research has revealed a positive relationship between types of mind wandering and ADHD at clinical and subclinical levels. However, this work did not consider the relationship between mind wandering and the core symptoms of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Given that the DMS-V attributes mind wandering to inattention only, and that only inattention is thought to result from impairment to the executive function linked to mind wandering, the present research sought to examine this relationship in 80 undiagnosed adults. Using both standard and easy versions of the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) we measured both spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering. We found that spontaneous mind wandering was related to self-reported inattentive traits when the task was cognitively more challenging (standard SART). However, hyperactive and impulsive traits were related to spontaneous mind wandering independent of task difficulty. The results suggest inattentive traits are not uniquely related to mind wandering; indeed, adults with hyperactive/impulsive traits were more likely to experience mind wandering, suggesting that mind wandering might not be useful diagnostic criteria for inattention

Speaker- versus listener-oriented disfluency: A re-examination of arguments and assumptions from autism spectrum disorder

We re-evaluate conclusions about disfluency production in high-functioning forms of autism spectrum disorder (HFA). Previous studies examined individuals with HFA to address a theoretical question regarding speaker- and listener-oriented disfluencies. Individuals with HFA tend to be self-centric and have poor pragmatic language skills, and should be less likely to produce listener-oriented disfluency. However, previous studies did not account for individual differences variables that affect disfluency. We show that both matched and unmatched controls produce fewer repairs than individuals with HFA. For silent pauses, there was no difference between matched controls and HFA, but both groups produced more than unmatched controls. These results identify limitations in prior research and shed light on the relationship between autism spectrum disorders and disfluent speech

Testing assumptions for endophenotype studies in ADHD: Reliability and validity of tasks in a general population sample

BACKGROUND: Advances in both genetic and cognitive-experimental studies on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have opened new opportunities for cognitive endophenotype research. In such genetic designs the focus is on individual differences in characteristics, associated with ADHD, that can be measured reliably over time. Genetic studies that take a 'quantitative trait loci' approach hypothesise that multiple susceptibility genes contribute to a continuous dimension of ADHD symptoms. As an important initial step, we aimed to investigate the underlying assumptions that (1) key cognitive-experimental tasks indicate adequate test-retest reliability and (2) ADHD symptom scores in a general population sample are associated with performance on these tasks. METHODS: Forty-nine children were assessed on a go/no-go task and a reaction time task (the 'fast task') that included manipulations with event rate and incentives. The children were assessed twice, with a test-retest interval of two weeks. RESULTS: The majority of the task variables demonstrated moderate-to-good test-retest reliability. The correlations between teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms and key task variables were .4–.6: ADHD symptoms were associated with poor performance (especially high reaction time variability) in a slow baseline condition, whereas there was low or no association in conditions with a faster event rate or incentives. In contrast, no clear pattern of findings emerged based on parent ratings of ADHD symptoms. CONCLUSION: The data support the usefulness of the go/no-go and fast tasks for genetic studies, which require reliable and valid indices of individual differences. The overall pattern of associations between teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms and task variables is consistent with effects of event rate and incentives on performance, as predicted by the model of activation and arousal regulation. The lack of a clear pattern of findings with parent ratings of ADHD symptoms warrants further study

Attention Enhances the Retrieval and Stability of Visuospatial and Olfactory Representations in the Dorsal Hippocampus

Attention enhances the encoding and retrieval of olfactory and visuospatial representations by modulating place field stability, firing rate, and neuronal synchronization of pyramidal cells in the hippocampus

Estudo piloto da prevalência do transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade entre crianças escolares na cidade do Salvador, Bahia, Brasil A pilot study of prevalence of hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder in scholar children in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

O presente estudo se propõe a estimar a prevalência do transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) em escolares através de inquérito com professores. Foi realizado um estudo piloto baseado no total de alunos do ensino fundamental, em escolas da rede pública e privada da cidade do Salvador, BA. O instrumento diagnóstico utilizado foi a Escala de TDAH versão para professores. Oito crianças (5,3%) apresentavam alta probabilidade de ter o subtipo predominantemente desatento, três escolares (2%) apresentavam alta probabilidade de apresentar o subtipo predominantemente hiperativo/impulsivo e uma criança (0,6%) apresentava alta probabilidade de apresentar o subtipo combinado. Crianças com TDAH podem ter sérios problemas de funcionamento social. O problema não se resume aos déficits trazidos pela doença, mas à associação co-mórbida com outros transtornos, que pode resultar em comprometimento social grave. O reconhecimento precoce e o manejo adequado do TDAH pode redirecionar o desenvolvimento educacional e psicossocial dessas crianças.<br>This study aims to estimate the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in scholar children through a teacher's questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted based in the total number of students under high school, in public and private schools in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The instrument used was Teacher's version of ADHS scale. Eight kids (5.3%) were recognized as highly probability of attention deficit disorder, three (2%) with high probability of subtype hyperactive/impulsive, and one (0.6%) as combined subtype. Children with ADHD might have serious social problems, not only brought by the disorder, but also due to co morbidity with other disorders, leading to serious social withdrawn. Early diagnostic and treatment of ADHD might improve educational and psychosocial development of these kids