OBJECTIVE: Two studies were performed to assess both divergent and convergent thinking in adults with ADHD. METHOD: The first study compared the problem-solving abilities of healthy participants (N = 144) and unmedicated adults with ADHD (N = 144). In the second study, problem-solving abilities of adults with diagnosed ADHD (N = 22) were examined twice, that is, on and off methylphenidate (MPH), and compared with the performance of a healthy control group (N = 22). Convergent thinking was measured using a Tower of London task, whereas divergent thinking was assessed using verbal fluency tasks. RESULTS: Adults with ADHD off MPH displayed marked deficits of both divergent and convergent thinking. MPH treatment resulted in a marked improvement of convergent thinking, while no effect of medication was found regarding divergent thinking. CONCLUSION: Pharmacological treatment of adults with ADHD revealed a differential effect of MPH on problem solving abilities.
OBJECTIVE: Two studies were performed to assess both divergent and convergent thinking in adults with ADHD. METHOD: The first study compared the problem-solving abilities of healthy participants (N = 144) and unmedicated adults with ADHD (N = 144). In the second study, problem-solving abilities of adults with diagnosed ADHD (N = 22) were examined twice, that is, on and off methylphenidate (MPH), and compared with the performance of a healthy control group (N = 22). Convergent thinking was measured using a Tower of London task, whereas divergent thinking was assessed using verbal fluency tasks. RESULTS: Adults with ADHD off MPH displayed marked deficits of both divergent and convergent thinking. MPH treatment resulted in a marked improvement of convergent thinking, while no effect of medication was found regarding divergent thinking. CONCLUSION: Pharmacological treatment of adults with ADHD revealed a differential effect of MPH on problem solving abilities.
Authors: Anselm B M Fuermaier; Lara Tucha; Janneke Koerts; Steffen Aschenbrenner; Matthias Weisbrod; Klaus W Lange; Oliver Tucha Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-05-31 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Katelijne van Emmerik-van Oortmerssen; Ellen Vedel; Maarten W Koeter; Kim de Bruijn; Jack J M Dekker; Wim van den Brink; Robert A Schoevers Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2013-05-10 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Anselm B M Fuermaier; Lara Tucha; Janneke Koerts; Steffen Aschenbrenner; Celina Westermann; Matthias Weisbrod; Klaus W Lange; Oliver Tucha Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-03-06 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Anselm B M Fuermaier; Lara Tucha; Janneke Koerts; Marieke J G van Heuvelen; Eddy A van der Zee; Klaus W Lange; Oliver Tucha Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-02-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Anselm B M Fuermaier; Lara Tucha; Ben Lewis Evans; Janneke Koerts; Dick de Waard; Karel Brookhuis; Steffen Aschenbrenner; Johannes Thome; Klaus W Lange; Oliver Tucha Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2015-09-29 Impact factor: 3.575