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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on May 19, 2011, at 4:31:44
Additive Neurocognitive Deficits in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Depressive Symptoms
Anne-Claire Larochette,
Allyson G. Harrison*,
Yoni Rosenblum and
Christopher R. BowieDepartment of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
*↵Corresponding author at: Department of Psychology, Regional Assessment and Resource Centre, Queen's University, 186 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6. Tel.: +613-533-6000; fax: +613-533-6564. E-mail address: harrisna{at}queensu.ca (A.G. Harrison).
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the possible additive neurocognitive deficits in adults with both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and serious depressive symptoms. Participants were 54 university students who completed a psycho-educational assessment. Three groups were examined: a group with comorbid ADHD and elevated depressive symptoms (ADHD + DEP; N = 18); a group with ADHD only (N = 18); and a group with elevated depressive symptoms only (DEP; N = 18). Group differences were examined on a battery of neurocognitive tests. The ADHD + DEP group performed significantly worse than the other groups on processing speed tasks and delayed recall of conceptual verbal information and significantly worse than the ADHD group on shifting tasks. Depressive symptom severity was significantly correlated with processing speed, verbal memory performance, and shifting in the ADHD and ADHD + DEP groups. Results suggest that the co-occurrence of ADHD and depressive symptoms in adults is associated with additional neurocognitive impairment.
Posted by bleauberry on May 19, 2011, at 15:53:27
In reply to Cognitive Impairements: Depression + ADHD, posted by SLS on May 19, 2011, at 4:31:44
I can't believe highly paid scientists focus such crucial talents on worthless stuff. To say what these people said is about the same thing as saying, "for those who have roofs prone to leaking, they are significantly more likely to experience leaks during rainstorms with wind compared to rainstorms without wind".
Or how about, "if you have more than one diagnosis simultaneously, you will probably not do as well compared to if you only had one."
I mean, come on.
Sure it is interesting. But give us something useful. Like for example....what to do about it? What are primary causes to look for?
Anyway.
Posted by SLS on May 19, 2011, at 19:45:43
In reply to Re: Cognitive Impairements: Depression + ADHD, posted by bleauberry on May 19, 2011, at 15:53:27
> I can't believe highly paid scientists focus such crucial talents on worthless stuff.
The worth of this stuff will depend upon the attitude of the reader.
- Scott
Posted by 10derheart on May 19, 2011, at 20:17:06
In reply to Re: Cognitive Impairements: Depression + ADHD » bleauberry, posted by SLS on May 19, 2011, at 19:45:43
oh, my.
well, if reacting just like bleauberry did is evidence of a bad, negative, or exasperated attitude I am guilty as charged (not that you accused anyone of anything....)
My reaction, having coped with ADD/ADHD all my life and depression for at least 10 years (off and on) was: "well, DUH! Obviously."
But I freely admit I may not understand the point or value of studies like this.....
Do you think it's valuable, Scott? Please explain because I respect your opinion tremendously.
Posted by SLS on May 19, 2011, at 20:47:37
In reply to Re: Cognitive Impairements: Depression + ADHD » SLS, posted by 10derheart on May 19, 2011, at 20:17:06
> oh, my.
>
> well, if reacting just like bleauberry did is evidence of a bad, negative, or exasperated attitude I am guilty as charged (not that you accused anyone of anything....)
>
> My reaction, having coped with ADD/ADHD all my life and depression for at least 10 years (off and on) was: "well, DUH! Obviously."Science has its own ways to describe the obvious.
If we all ignored testing the most obvious, we would then risk not uncovering the less obvious.
If one were to treat ADHD with methylphenidate and there still remain cognitive impairments, do we increase the dosage of the methylphenidate or look instead for comorbid depression? How does the comorbid condition differ from either illness alone? Is it measurable?
This study quantified the degree of impairment for each of the experimental arms for comparison. These impairments do not overlap on each other, but are additive. Differential diagnosis using psychometric measurements before and after treatment can be compared. Depending on the difference in scores, one might then be able to discern the components that produce the resulting phenotype in an attempt to treat the right illnesses.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on May 20, 2011, at 8:51:22
In reply to Re: Cognitive Impairements: Depression + ADHD » SLS, posted by 10derheart on May 19, 2011, at 20:17:06
Was that helpful?
- Scott
Posted by torridcalm on May 20, 2011, at 17:47:01
In reply to Cognitive Impairements: Depression + ADHD, posted by SLS on May 19, 2011, at 4:31:44
I read this three times and I don't see why it annoyed so many of you. Is depression in people with ADHD somehow diferent? That symple question is what I got out of this research, just a raised eyebrow. Maybe cause I have ADHD and stuggle so much that I find value in this study. If they were compairing depression to bipolor depression maybe I wouldn't have found the study interesting but I don't think I'd been annoyed.
Posted by SLS on May 21, 2011, at 8:19:31
In reply to Re: Cognitive Impairements: Depression + ADHD » SLS, posted by 10derheart on May 19, 2011, at 20:17:06
Hi 10derheart.
I hope I didn't scare you off. I didn't mean to, but I am concerned that you misinterpreted my words as being chastising or otherwise sarcastic. If you do feel that I was attacking you, you are indeed silly.
I hope you acknowledge this post with a reply.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Solstice on May 22, 2011, at 9:28:04
In reply to Cognitive Impairements: Depression + ADHD, posted by SLS on May 19, 2011, at 4:31:44
Scott -
My son has ADD & depression. It's only recently that I've come to understand the inherent effect it has on cognition. Six years ago the jr. high did testing on him (WISC). His processing speed was slow. They did it again last year. His processing speed was still slow, but not nearly as much. Interestingly, his total IQ went from 95 on the first test, to 117 on this last one. I can't help but wonder what it would be like for him if his processing speed was as it would be without the depression. One of the biggest problems his processing speed causes him is that for him, especially when new concepts are introduced, he experiences the sensation of the teachers talking very fast. He also experiences such a delay in pulling his own thoughts together, that he often just doesn't share them. He has been treated for depression and ADD the whole time. The depression ebbs and flows. It's not so bad that it keeps him in bed, but it is a chronic 'low' for him that interferes with his sociability and motivation. I think if they could find ways to keep processing speed intact, it could really help people like my son, because the slow processing speed is something he feels acutely.. which impacts his self concept and thus.. augments the depression.
Solstice
Posted by floatingbridge on May 22, 2011, at 21:10:12
In reply to Re: Cognitive Impairements: Depression + ADHD » SLS, posted by Solstice on May 22, 2011, at 9:28:04
Solstice,
My own son is undergoing assessment. I want to mention to you one of the things they are looking at for him--audio delay. Have you bumped into this? Let me know if you want to hear anymore of the little I may know or find out. It can be worked with very successfully.
fb
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