Lack of executive functions deficits among adult ad hd individuals from a Brazilian clinical sample

Executive function deficits have been previously documented in individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to compare measures of executive functions among a clinical sample of adults with ADHD and normal control subjects, matched for age, gender and education. METHODS: Twenty-three self-referred adults diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria, and twenty-five control subjects were assessed using a neuropsychological battery which included the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Tower of Hanoi, Digit Span, Trail Making Test (A and B), Stroop Test and Raven’s Progressive Matrices. RESULTS: The ADHD group did not differ significantly from the control subjects on any of the measures assessed. CONCLUSION: Measures of executive functions using this test battery were unable to discriminate between adults with ADHD and control subjects in this clinical sample.