The cognitive-energetic model: an empirical approach to Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Introduction
Children and adolescents with an excess of hyperactive, inattentive and impulsive behaviour are diagnosed currently to have Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Currently, the third facet of ADHD, impulsivity, has become the focus of research effort. It has been strongly advocated that disinhibition, is central to distinguishing this disorder from others [1], [2], [31], [32]. This approach suggests that ADHD is the result of a failure to delay responding associated with inhibitory deficits.
An alternative position has been advocated using a model of information processing which attempts to identify the locus of the ADHD deficit [43] Our approach utilises the cognitive-energetic model described in [36] and elaborated in ADHD in [42], [43], [44] and recently [45]. This model suggests that there may be certain aspects of inhibition, which is deficit in ADHD children, but that this is also dependent upon the energetic state of the child.
In order to clarify this position, some of the features of the model guiding our research are presented followed by a brief discussion of related research in ADHD.
Section snippets
The cognitive-energetic model
The overall efficiency of information processing in the cognitive-energetic model is said to be determined by both process (computational) and state factors (such as effort, arousal and activation). Computational mechanisms of attention include four general stages: encoding, search, decision and motor organisation [48]. These stages of information processing (see Fig. 1) are associated with experimental task variables [37].
The second level of the model encompasses three energetic pools. These
Energetics
It was noted that performance deficits in ADHD children could be linked to the three energetic pools and the superordinate management mechanism of the cognitive-energetic model. Two of these pools, activation and effort, are especially relevant to the inhibition hypothesis in ADHD. Activation is directly related to the motor organization (output) side of the cognitive-energetic model, which has been implicated in ADHD [20]. Effort in this model encompasses terms such as motivation and response
Discussion
It has been argued that it is an oversimplification to conclude that ADHD children uniquely suffer from an inhibition deficit that accounts for all of the experimental findings of impaired performance on a myriad of tasks [2]. Without doubt, however, the results of a wide variety of tests and tasks can be interpreted as showing disinhibition in ADHD. However, alternative explanations for many of the findings have not yet been ruled out. We have drawn attention to the role of state of energetic
References (51)
- et al.
Implication of right frontostriatal circuitry in response inhibition and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
(1997) - et al.
Contingent negative variation and alpha attenuation responses in children with different abilities to concentrate
Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology
(1978) - et al.
Tryptophan depletion, executive functions, and disinhibition in aggressive, adolescent males
Neuropsychopharmacology
(1998) - et al.
Response inhibition and response re-engagement in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, disruptive, anxious and normal children
Behavioural Brain Research
(1998) - et al.
Inhibitory dysfunction in hyperactive boys
Behavioural Brain Research
(1998) Towards a model of stress and performance
Acta Psychologica
(1983)- et al.
Test of four hypothesis for the comorbidity of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
(1995) - et al.
Additive factor methodology applied to psychopathology with special reference to hyperactivity
Acta Psychologica
(1990) - et al.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the frontal lobe syndrome
Brain and Cognition
(1992) Discovery of processing stages: extensions of Donders’ method
Impaired delayed responding: a unified theory of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Behavioral inhibition, sustained attention, and executive functions: constructing a unifying theory of ADHD
Psychological Bulletin
Cerebellum in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a morphometric MRI study
Neurology
Neuroelectric mapping reveals precursor of stop failures in children with attention deficits
Behavioural Brain Research
Differential distribution, affinity and plasticity of dopamine D-1 and D-2 receptors in the target sites of mesolimbic system in an animal model of ADHD
Behavioural Brain Research
The role of the anterior cingulate in automatic and controlled processes: a developmental neuroanatomical study
Developmental Psychobiology
Effects of event rate and display time on sustained attention in hyperactive, normal and control children
Journal of Abnormal child Psychology
Presentation rate effects on paired associate learning by attention deficit disordered children
Child Development
Hyperactive children's underuse of learning time: correction by stimulant treatment
Child Development
Localization of a neural system for error detection and compensation
Psychological Science
A neural system for error detection and compensation
Psychological Science
Effects of reward and response costs on inhibition in ADHD children
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
Slowing during and after errors in ADD: methylphenidate slows reactions of children with attention deficit disorder during and after an error
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
Thalamic and cortical mechanisms of attention suggested by recent positron emission tomographic experiments
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
On the ability to inhibit thought and action: a theory of an act of control
Psychological Review
Cited by (481)
Settling a distracted globe: An overview of psychosocial and psychotherapeutic treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
2024, European NeuropsychopharmacologyTools or Toys? The Effect of Fidget Spinners and Bouncy Bands on the Academic Performance in Children With Varying ADHD-Symptomatology
2023, Contemporary Educational PsychologyLinks between excessive daytime sleepiness and EEG power and activation in two subtypes of ADHD
2023, Biological PsychologyLongitudinal investigation in children and adolescents with ADHD and healthy controls: A 2-year ERP study
2023, International Journal of Psychophysiology