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| ANDREOU, P., Neale,
B. M., Chen, Christiansen, H., Gabriels, I., Heise,A.,
Meidad, S., Müller, U. C., Uebel, H., Banaschewski, T., Manor,
I., Oades, R. D., Roeyers, H., Rothenberger, A., Sham,P.,Steinhausen,
H-C., Asherson, P. & Kuntsi, J. (2007) Introduction: Reaction time (RT) variability is one of the strongest findings to emerge in cognitive-experimental research with those diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). -- We set out to confirm the association between ADHD & slow & variable RTs & investigate the degree to which RT performance improves under fast event rate & incentives. Using a group familial correlation approach we tested the hypothesis that there are shared familial effects on RT performance & ADHD. Methods: 144 ADHD combined-type probands, 125 siblings of the ADHD probands & 60 Cs, 6-18y, performed a 4-choice RT task with baseline & fast-incentive conditions.. Results: 1/ ADHD was associated with slow & variable RTs, -- & greater improvement in speed & RT variability from baseline to the fast-incentive condition.. 2/ RT performance showed shared familial influences with ADHD: assuming no shared environmental contribution 60-70% of the phenotypic correlation was estimated to be due to shared familial influences. Conclusions: A) The data are inconsistent with models that consider RT variability as reflecting a stable cognitive deficit in ADHD, but instead emphasise the extent to which energetic (see Russell et al. 2006) or motivational factors can have a greater effect on RT performance in ADHD.B) The findings support the role of RT variability as an endophenotype, mediating the link between genes & ADHD. Russell, V.A., Oades, R.D., Tannock, R., Auerbach,
J.G., Killeen, P. R., Johansen, E.B., & Sagvolden, T. (2006)
Response
variability in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a neuronal
and glial energetics hypothesis. Behavioral
and Brain Functions,
2,
30. View
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