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No lower cognitive functioning in older adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 February 2015

E. J. Semeijn ,
N. C. M. Korten ,
H. C. Comijs ,
M. Michielsen ,
D. J. H. Deeg ,
A. T. F. Beekman  and
J. J. S. Kooij
E. J. Semeijn*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The Netherlands EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Expertise Centre ADHD in Adults, PsyQ, The Hague, the Netherlands
N. C. M. Korten
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
H. C. Comijs
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The Netherlands EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
M. Michielsen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The Netherlands EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Expertise Centre ADHD in Adults, PsyQ, The Hague, the Netherlands
D. J. H. Deeg
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The Netherlands EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
A. T. F. Beekman
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The Netherlands EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
J. J. S. Kooij
Affiliation:
Expertise Centre ADHD in Adults, PsyQ, The Hague, the Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Evert Semeijn, VU University Medical Centre Amsterdam, LASA, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Phone: +31 20 444 6770; Fax: +31 20 444 6775. Email: contact@evertsemeijn.nl.
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Abstract

Background:

Research illustrates cognitive deficits in children and younger adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Few studies have focused on the cognitive functioning in older adults. This study investigates the association between ADHD and cognitive functioning in older adults.

Methods:

Data were collected in a cross-sectional side study of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). A diagnostic interview to diagnose ADHD was administered among a subsample (N = 231, age 60–94). ADHD symptoms and diagnosis were assessed with the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA) 2.0. Cognitive functioning was assessed with tests in the domains of executive functioning, information processing speed, memory, and attention/working memory.

Results:

Regression analyses indicate that ADHD diagnosis and ADHD severity were only negatively associated with cognitive functioning in the attention/working memory domain. When adjusting for depression, these associations were no longer significant.

Conclusion:

The study shows that ADHD in older adults is associated with lower cognitive functioning in the attention/working memory domain. However, this was partly explained by depressive symptoms.

Keywords

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderADHDcognitive functioningcognition
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 27 , Issue 9 , September 2015 , pp. 1467 - 1476
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2015 

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