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Interference control in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: differential Stroop effects for colour-naming versus counting

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Summary

Deficits in interference control are ascribed to patients suffering from ADHD by a number of cognitive theories. However, previous research using the Stroop Colour Word Interference Task has demonstrated mixed results that may be explained by methodological issues (e.g., possible impact of colour perception abilities on interference liability, different approaches to calculate interference scores, conflation of speed and accuracy factors). Hence, this study included two computerized versions of the Stroop (Colour-Stroop, Counting Stroop) which allowed to calculate separate measures of speed and accuracy, provided a more rigorous approach to calculate interference, and permitted to investigate the effects of stimulus properties on interference. Participants were 14 children with a DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD combined type and 15 matched controls. Children completed a traditional Stroop as well as both a computerized Colour- and Counting-Stroop. Results indicated that the ADHD group showed higher interference scores than controls in the Colour-Stroop, but not in the Counting-Stroop. Thus, interference control may be not generally impaired in ADHD, and examinations with the Colour Stroop should be interpreted with care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany

    B. Albrecht, A. Rothenberger & H. Uebel

  2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Germany

    B. Albrecht & T. Banaschewski

  3. Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Faculteit der Psychologie, Vrije University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    J. Sergeant

  4. The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

    R. Tannock

Authors
  1. B. Albrecht
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  2. A. Rothenberger
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  3. J. Sergeant
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  4. R. Tannock
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  5. H. Uebel
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  6. T. Banaschewski
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Correspondence to B. Albrecht.

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Correspondence: Björn Albrecht, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Goettingen, von Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Goettingen, Germany

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Albrecht, B., Rothenberger, A., Sergeant, J. et al. Interference control in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: differential Stroop effects for colour-naming versus counting. J Neural Transm 115, 241–247 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-007-0818-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-007-0818-1

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