Neuropsychological and Psychophyioslogical Differentiation of Inattention/Overactivty and Aggression/Defiance Symptom Groups

Abstract

Examined the association of "frontal lobe" functioning and electrodermal activity (EDA) with symptoms of inattention/overactivity (I/0) and aggression/defiance (A/D). Normal and clinic-referred children (N = 57) were rated by teachers on the IOWA Conners Teacher Rating Scale. Subjects completed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) while their electrodermal activity (EDA) was quantified. Poorer WCST performance was associated only with higher I/0 ratings, anal lower EDA was associated only with higher A/D ratings. There were no interactive effects. The limitations and potential etiological significance of these findings are discussed.