Comparative study of the cognitive performance in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with substance use disorder (SUD) and a group of adults with ADHD without SUD

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental condition, characterized by inattentiveness, forgetfulness, impulsiveness, hyperactivity. It presents high risk to Substance use disorders (SUD). Since both of them may present similar symptomatology and may occur as comorbidity, the differential diagnosis can be considered difficult. There are few studies about this relationship in adults ADHD. Objective: To identify cognitive features in verbal memory, executive function e social cognition in two groups of adult: one with ADHD and SUD (cocaine dependence) and another with ADHD without SUD and to analyze cognitive performance in group ADHD and SUD and its relationship to frequency of use. Hypothesis: Group with ADHD and SUD show worse cognitive performance than the group ADHD without SUD and the worse performance in verbal memory, executive functions and social cognition are associated with time and higher frequency of cocaine use. Methods: 40 subjects with diagnosis ADHD and SUD (cocaine dependence) and 40 subjects with diagnosis ADHD, both genders, age 18 to 60 years and naïve from ADHD medication. Subjects recruited in outpatient clinic of Instituto de Psiquiatria da Universidade de São Paulo and in the community. Criteria of exclusion: neurological disorders, suicide attempt, schizophrenia, pregnancy, another psychoactive dependence, and they need treatment psychiatric hospital. Diagnosis will be according to DSM-IV-TR. Before neuropsychological evaluation the drug abstinence will be check with a urine screening and then the subject will be submitted to a neuropsychological battery: Stroop Test, Trail Making, Iowa Gambling Task, Tower of Hanoi, Eyes Task, WCST, WASI, Digits, RAVLT, Logical Memory, FAS and Sequence of Numbers and Letters. These tests are considered in literature to evaluate dimensions of verbal memory, executive function and social cognition in ADHD as well as in SUD. (AU)