Cited by 520Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderDevelopmental and Educational NeuropsychologyNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

Relations Between Continuous Performance Test Performance Measures and ADHD Behaviors

Epstein, Jeffery N., Erkanli, Alaatin, Conners, C. Keith, Klaric, John, Costello, Jane E., Angold, Adrian·2003·Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

Abstract

The Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) is a neuropsychological task that has repeatedly been shown to differentiate ADHD from normal groups. Several variables may be derived from the Conners' CPT including errors of omission and commission, mean hit reaction time(RT), mean hit RT standard error, d', and beta. What each CPT parameter actually assesses has largely been based upon clinical assumptions and the face validity of each measure (e.g., omission errors measure inattention, commission errors measure impulsivity). This study attempts to examine relations between various CPT variables and phenotypic behaviors so as to better understand the various CPT variables. An epidemiological sample of 817 children was administered the Conners' CPT. Diagnostic interviews were conducted with parents to determine ADHD symptom profiles for all children. Children diagnosed with ADHD had more variable RTs, made more errors of commission and omission, and demonstrated poorer perceptual sensitivity than nondiagnosed children. Regarding specific symptoms, generalized estimating equations (GEE) and ANCOVAs were conducted to determine specific relationships between the 18 DSM-IV ADHD symptoms and 6 CPT parameters. CPT performance measures demonstrated significant relationships to ADHD symptoms but did not demonstrate symptom domain specificity according to a priori assumptions. Overall performance on the two signal detection measures, d' and beta, was highly related to all ADHD symptoms across symptom domains. Further, increased variability in RTs over time was related to most ADHD symptoms. Finally, it appears that at least 1 CPT variable, mean hit RT, is minimally related to ADHD symptoms as a whole, but does demonstrate some specificity in its link with symptoms of hyperactivity.

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Crossref · 10.1023/a:1025405216339

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30 of 30 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • In a study examining individual ADHD symptoms, reaction time variability was significantly related to all 18 ADHD symptoms, suggesting no specificity between reaction time variability and specific ADHD behaviors.

    “In a study examining whether RTV was specifically correlated with individual ADHD symptoms (e.g., short attention span), significant relations were observed between RTV and all 18 ADHD symptoms, suggesting no specificity between RTVand specific ADHD behaviors [55].”

    From Reaction Time Variability in ADHD: A Review (2012) · cites this paper as [55]

  • Sustained attention abilities predict objective and subjective reports of classroom behavior, academic performance, special education placement, and comorbid learning disabilities.

    “sustained attention abilities predict objective and subjective reports of classroom behavior (Brocki, Tillman, & Bohlin, 2010; Epstein et al., 2003; Rapport et al., 1987), academic performance (Molina et al., 2009; Rapport et al., 1994), special education placement, and comorbid learning disabilities (Faraone et al., 1993).”
  • Epstein et al. reported variability in d', lnβ, and RT to be strongly associated across multiple ADHD symptom domains.

    “Epstein and colleagues (Epstein et al., 2003) reported variability in d’, lnβ, and RT to be strongly associated across multiple ADHD symptom domains.”

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Authors
Epstein, J. N., Erkanli, A., Conners, C. K., Klaric, J., Costello, J. E., & Angold, A.
Affiliations
Duke University (US)
Corresponding author
Epstein, Jeffery N.
Venue
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
Published
2003-10
Volume
31
Issue
5
Pages
543-554
ISSN
  • 0091-0627 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2835
OpenAlex
W1539412734
Cited by
520
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 42 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 35
FWCI
5.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Conners' Continuous Performance Test, inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, reaction time variability, omission errors, commission errors, perceptual sensitivity, children
MeSH terms
Algorithms, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Humans, Neuropsychological Tests, Reaction Time, Severity of Illness Index, Reproducibility of Results, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

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