Work

Standardization of decision-making skills but persistent impulsivity after chronic stimulant exposure in ADHD patients

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly associated with deficits in executive function. Even though attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the more distinctive symptoms, impairment in other cognitive processes, for instance memory, could be due to the interferences from these symptoms. However, it remains unclear whether information processing errors made by individuals with ADHD arise primarily from impulsive responding or reflect a more fundamental difference in how they process information, potentially due to compensatory mechanisms developed throughout childhood. This study analyzes pattern separation (distinguishing similar stimuli), recognition memory, decision-making, and impulsivity in both ADHD-diagnosed and non-diagnosed youth population. We further examined possible treatment effects by dividing the ADHD group into three cohorts based on stimulant medication duration. We evaluate their response latency and responses utilizing the signal detection theory method. While ADHD participants exhibited poorer recognition memory compared to controls, this pattern did not show a statistically significant difference in pattern separation. Additionally, both processes improved with longer treatment duration within the ADHD group, leading to decreased error commission. Decision-making analyses revealed sex-specific response strategies within the ADHD group, but both groups showed similar adjustment to task difficulty. However, the ADHD group responses were notably faster, associated with a higher error rate. Additionally, response times varied depending on the stimulus type, suggesting potential differences in how the ADHD group processed information compared to the control group. These findings collectively point towards a possible difference in information management in ADHD, that is also characterized by faster, but less accurate, processing. • Performance deficits were observed in object recognition memory within the ADHD. • ADHD and normative group exhibited similar response adjustments to cognitive load during decision-making. • ADHD participants with longer exposure to stimulant exhibited enhanced discrimination and reduced error rates. • Stimulant medication in ADHD primarily affected cognitive processing rather than decision-making approaches. • Evidence suggests a distinct response processing mechanism in the ADHD.

Source: Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2025.173986

Authors: Francisco José Lobato-Camacho, Juan Pedro Vargas, Juan Carlos López

Institution: Universidad de Sevilla

Language: English

Topic: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650