Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A systematic review

ABSTRACT

Background: Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (aADHD) is characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional instability, all of which were linked to altered modulation of the autonomic nervous system. This and the clinical effectiveness of sympathomimetic medication raised the question if autonomic modulation is altered in aADHD patients.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web Of Science for publications investigating autonomic modulation in aADHD and controls during resting-state and/or under task conditions.

Results: We reviewed 15 studies involving 846 participants (424 aADHD and 422 controls), including 4 studies on sympathetic tone at rest, 13 studies on sympathetic modulation during tasks, 3 studies on resting state parasympathetic modulation and 3 papers on task-related parasympathetic modulation. Studies comprised measurements of electrodermal activity, heart rate variability, blood pressure variability, blood volume pulse, pre-ejection period, and baroreflex sensitivity. 2 studies reported reduced sympathetic tone in aADHD; 7 papers described lower sympathetic reactivity to task demands in this cohort. One study linked aADHD to impaired vagal tone, while no indications of altered tasks-related parasympathetic reactivity in aADHD patients were reported.

Conclusion: The reviewed data revealed impaired cardiovascular autonomic modulation in aADHD patients, predominantly in sympathetic modulation and during stress exposure.

KEYWORDS:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• autonomic nervous system
• heart rate variability
• psychophysiology
• central autonomic network

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.