A Review of Cognitive Disorders in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with Emphasis on Executive Functions and Brain Structures

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by levels of attention deficit disorder, irregularity, or hyperactivity/impulsivity. Studies have shown that only a fraction of children with ADHD, and not all of them, suffer from performance-related impairments. However, recently it has become clear that all people with this disorder are impaired in executive functions (EFs). In other words, ADHD is fundamentally a developmental disorder of EFs. Poor inhibitory control, continuous attention deficit, problem-solving, and behavioral inhibition are cognitive deficits in children with ADHD, and can be seen in tests related to EFs. Evidence suggests differences in some EFs, such as behavioral inhibition between boys and girls. ADHD has its neurobiological basis and most empirical evidence indicates delayed frontal lobe development in children with this disorder. Therefore, we aimed to review cognitive disorders in children with ADHD with an emphasis on EFs.

Keywords

• executive function
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• children
• cognitive function