Hyperactive and hypoxic children: Signal detection, sustained attention, and behavior.

Abstract

Consideration of the several processes involved in sustained attention underscores the need for techniques designed to separate the components. This study_employed two parameters from signal detection theory, perceptual sensitivity [P(A)] and decision criterion cutoff scores [Z(S/M)]> in the analysis of vigilance performance of hyperactive (« = 30), hypoxic (n = 30), and normal (n = 47) children Signal detection analyses of three Continuous Performance Test conditions indicated that, with increasing age, children obtained significantly more hits, fewer false alarms, higher perceptual sensitivity, and responded with greater caution Overall deficits in signal discrimination (perceptual sensitivity level) were obtained for both the hyperactive and the hypoxic groups when compared to normal age mates Whereas the hypoxic group demonstrated additional decrements in sustaining attention (sensitivity decrement over time), the hyperactive children were impaired by lowresponse caution, reflecting difficulty inhibiting impulsive responses Possible differences in hyperactive sample characteristics across studies and time-related recovery factors following hypoxia are discussed

Sustained attention and response inhibition in boys with fragile X syndrome: Measures of continuous performance

“…All children practiced the task at least once and could practice two more times if needed. Because the literature has documented their importance, a number of factors were kept constant in the administration of the CPTs, including morning administration, the continued presence of an administrator, an emphasis on accuracy rather than speed, and up to three opportunities for the administrator to provide feedback [Davies and Davies, 1975;Ozolins and Anderson, 1980;O'Dougherty et al, 1984;Sergeant and Scholten, 1985;Draeger et al, 1986;Power, 1992;Ballard, 1996;Leark et al, 1999]. Although some of the children with FXS had limited verbal skills, they had sufficient receptive language skills to distinguish between the target and nontarget words.…”

In vivo effect of chronic hypoxia on the neurochemical profile of the developing rat hippocampus

“…In children with CHD, long-term studies using standardized tests of academic achievement have demonstrated lower scores compared with the controls [54]. Multiple risk factors such as chronic hypoxia, anesthesia, and potentially low cerebral blood flow during cardiopulmonary bypass may be responsible for these learning disabilities [35][36][37].…”

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the frontal lobe syndrome

“…ADHD children make more errors of both omission (falling to respond to correct stimuli) and commission (responding to incorrect stimuli) than do normal control (NC) children (Douglas & Peters, 1979;Nuechterleln, 1983; Q'Dougherty, Nuechterlein & Drew, 1984). Thus, as weIl as demonstrating attentional deflcits, the children fail to inhibit inappropriate responses.…”