Testing possible mechanisms of deficient supra-second time estimation in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Full Abstract

Numerous studies indicate deficient time estimation in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Several hypotheses have been raised to explain this deficit including delay aversion, vulnerability to nontemporal distractions, deficient working memory, as well as pure deficit in temporal processing. To test the different hypotheses, adults with or without ADHD performed a prospective time-estimation task under different conditions: with or without nontemporal distraction; and with or without increased load of working memory. Such design was used to rule out the effect of motor control and to manipulate the hypothesized mechanisms of working memory and attention to nontemporal stimuli. The authors report that compared with the control group, adults with ADHD showed greater and more variable deviation in time estimation. In addition, the magnitude of time estimation was affected by allocation of attention to nontemporal stimuli and by load of working memory. The intraindividual variability of time estimation was only partially accounted for by load of working memory. These findings suggest that the ADHD-associated deficit in prospective time estimation is not attributable to special attention to nontemporal stimuli or compromised working memory.

Author information

Author/s: Pollak, Y (Y); Kroyzer, N (N); Yakir, A (A); Friedler, M (M);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Hewbrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel. msyehu(-atsign-)huji.ac.il

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Neuropsychology (Neuropsychology), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 23 (issue 5) : pp 679-86

Dates: Created 2009/08/25; Completed 2009/10/16;

PMID: 19702421, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/16/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.