Network Analysis of ADHD Symptoms and Cognitive Profiles in Children

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of ADHD

	Mean ± SD; N (%)
Age	8.82 ± 2.03
Sex
Girls	19 (13.0)
Boys	127 (87.0)
ADHD subtype
ADHD-I	39 (26.7)
ADHD-H	8 (5.5)
ADHD-C	99 (67.8)
Comorbid symptoms
Without comorbidity	55 (37.7)
Oppositional defiant disorder	81 (55.5)
Conduct disorder	1 (0.7)
Mood disorder	27 (18.5)
FSIQ	94.53 ± 12.52
129≥FSIQ≥120	5 (3.4)
119≥FSIQ≥110	14 (9.6)
109≥FSIQ≥90	68 (46.6)
89≥FSIQ≥80	39 (26.7)
79≥FSIQ≥70	20 (13.7)

Abbreviations: ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; ADHD-I, ADHD predominantly inattentive; ADHD-H, ADHD predominantly hyperactive/impulsive; ADHD-C, ADHD combined type; FSIQ, full scale intelligent quotient; Mood disorder includes anxiety/depression.

Table 2 WISC-IV Subtest and Index Scores in 146 Children with ADHD

Assessment	Mean (SD)	Standardized Scores (Mean)	P value*
Index
Verbal comprehension	88.36 ± 13.63	100 ± 15	P<0.001
Perceptual reasoning	102.60 ± 13.73	100 ± 15	P=0.031
Working memory	97.97 ± 11.89	100 ± 15	P=0.038
Processing speed	95.73 ± 13.59	100 ± 15	P<0.001
Full scale intelligent quotient	94.53 ± 12.52	100 ± 15	P<0.001
Subtest
Similarities	8.99 ± 2.94	10 ± 3	P<0.001
Vocabulary	6.39 ± 2.82	10 ± 3	P<0.001
Comprehension	8.24 ± 2.56	10 ± 3	P<0.001
Block design	10.94 ± 2.92	10 ± 3	P<0.001
Picture concepts	9.75 ± 2.73	10 ± 3	P=0.177
Matrix reasoning	10.68 ± 2.72	10 ± 3	P=0.006
Digit span	9.92 ± 2.36	10 ± 3	P=0.742
Letter-number sequencing	8.56 ± 2.36	10 ± 3	P<0.001
Coding	8.33 ± 3.09	10 ± 3	P<0.001
Symbol search	10.25 ± 2.69	10 ± 3	P=0.611

Notes: *One-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Figure 1 The cognitive profiles in ADHD with and without comorbid symptoms. Estimated mean scores of WISC-IV indexes for children with ADHD alone (n = 55) and with comorbid symptoms (n = 91). Error bars represent standard errors.

Abbreviations: WISC-IV, Wechsler intelligence scale-fourth edition; VCI, verbal comprehension index; PRI, perceptual reasoning index; WMI, working memory index; PSI, processing speed index; FSIQ, full scale intelligence quotient.

Figure 2 The ADHD-Cognition network based on the parent ratings and the corresponding strength centrality indices. (A) The ADHD-Cognition network based on the parent ratings of the children with ADHD. The nodes in the network represent ADHD symptoms and cognitive profiles, and the edges represent strength of association between nodes. Blue edges and red edges represent positive and negative correlations, respectively, and thicker edges represent higher correlations. (B) The strength centrality of each node in the ADHD-Cognition network based on the parent ratings. Nodes are depicted on the y-axis and Values shown on the x-axis are standardized z-scores. Node strength signifies to the number and strength of the direct associations of a node with other nodes in the network.

Figure 3 The ADHD-Cognition network based on the teacher ratings and the corresponding strength centrality indices. (A) The ADHD-Cognition network based on the teacher ratings of the children with ADHD. The nodes in the network represent ADHD symptoms and cognitive profiles, and the edges represent strength of association between nodes. Blue edges and red edges represent positive and negative correlations, respectively, and thicker edges represent higher correlations. (B) The strength centrality of each node in the ADHD-Cognition network based on the teacher ratings. Nodes are depicted on the y-axis and Values shown on the x-axis are standardized z-scores. Node strength signifies to the number and strength of the direct associations of a node with other nodes in the network.