Which neuropsychological functions predict various processing speed components in children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

ABSTRACT

We identified statistical predictors of four processing speed (PS) components in a sample of 151 children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Performance on perceptual speed was predicted by visual attention/short-term memory, whereas incidental learning/psychomotor speed was predicted by verbal working memory. Rapid naming was predictive of each PS component assessed, and inhibition predicted all but one task, suggesting a shared need to identify/retrieve stimuli rapidly and inhibit incorrect responding across PS components. Hence, we found both shared and unique predictors of perceptual, cognitive, and output speed, suggesting more specific terminology should be used in future research on PS in ADHD.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Data collection for this work was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health,National Institute of Child Health and Human Development under grants R03 HD048752 and R15 HD065627. The views articulated in this manuscript do not necessarily reflect those of NIH/NICHD.