Neural processing of decision making in Attention-Déficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their comparison with comorbid disorders

GONZALEZ GADEA, ML; BAEZ, S; RATAZZI, A; MANES, F; IBAÑEZ, A

Praga

Congreso; Eunethydis 23nd. Network Meeting; 2013

European Network of Hyperkinetic Disorders

Decision making abnormalities have been reported in Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid disorders such as bipolar disorder (BD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We examined neural correlates of reward and gambling in ADHD adults compared to BD adults. Additionally, we presented preliminary results of neural processing of rational and cooperative decision making in ADHD and ASD children. Methods: For adults with ADHD and BD, we used a rapid-decision gambling task (RDGT). For ADHD or ASD children we used a modified Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and an iterative Prisoner?s Dilemma Game (iPDG). These paradigms elicit event-related potentials (ERPs: fERN, P3 and oERN). Results: In the RGDT, ADHD adults showed a pattern of impaired learning by feedback (fERN) and insensitivity to reward magnitude (P3). The BD group showed fERN- and P3-enhanced responses to reward magnitude regardless of valence. In addition, an analysis of source location revealed reduced responses of the cingulate cortex to the valence and magnitude of rewards in patients with ADHD and BD. Our preliminary results showed differential ERP patterns (fERN and P3) in ADHD children compared to controls in rational decision making (IGT) and group differences in oERN between ASD and controls in cooperative decision making (iPDG). Discussion: Our data suggest that neurophysiological (ERPs) paradigms are well suited to assess differences in decision-making between patients with ADHD, BP and ADHD. Compared to comorbid disorders, ADHD participants exhibit a specific pattern of subtle reward processing deficits. These abnormalities would be related to cingulated cortex action monitoring activity.