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Impulsive behavior in adults with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: Characterization of attentional, motor and cognitive impulsiveness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 May 2007

L. MALLOY-DINIZ ,
D. FUENTES ,
W. BORGES LEITE ,
H. CORREA  and
A. BECHARA
L. MALLOY-DINIZ
Affiliation:
Neuropsychology and Neurosciences Research Group, Health Sciences School, FUMEC University, Bairro São Lucas, Brazil. GEDAHI, Research Group on Learning, Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders (Grupo de Estudos dos Distúrbios da Aprendizagem, Atenção e Hiperatividade) Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
D. FUENTES
Affiliation:
Psychology & Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Hospital, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
W. BORGES LEITE
Affiliation:
Neuropsychology and Neurosciences Research Group, Health Sciences School, FUMEC University, Bairro São Lucas, Brazil. GEDAHI, Research Group on Learning, Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders (Grupo de Estudos dos Distúrbios da Aprendizagem, Atenção e Hiperatividade) Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
H. CORREA
Affiliation:
Mental Health Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
A. BECHARA
Affiliation:
Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. Impulsivity persists in adults with ADHD and might be the basis of much of the impairment observed in the daily lives of such individuals. The objective of this study was to address the presence, and more importantly, the three dimensions of impulsivity: attentional, non-planning and motor, in how they may relate to neuropsychological mechanisms of impulse control. We studied a sample of 50 adults with ADHD and 51 healthy comparison controls using the Barratt Impulsivity Scale Version 11 (BIS), and neuropsychological tasks, namely the Continuous Performance Task (CPT-II) and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). The ADHD group showed more signs of impulsivity on the three dimensions of BIS, committed more errors of omission and commission on the CPT-II, and made more disadvantageous choices on the IGT. These results support the existence of deficits related to three components of impulsivity: motor, cognitive, and attentional among adults with ADHD. Most importantly, this study also highlights the complementary nature of self-report questionnaires and neuropsychological tasks in the assessment of impulsivity in ADHD adults. (JINS, 2007, 13, 693–698.)

Keywords

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderDecision makingImpulsivenessInhibitory ControlIowa Gambling TaskBarratt Impulsivity Scale
Type
BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , July 2007 , pp. 693 - 698
Copyright
© 2007 The International Neuropsychological Society

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