Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been reported to have difficulties in sustained attention and attentional selection. However, since previous studies used attentional tasks that involved low inter-stimulus competition or requirement of perceptual processing, early attentional selection processes in ADHD remains unclear. We exploited a sustained attention task with event-related potentials (ERPs), which rapidly presented stimuli to increase perceptual load and enabled observation of early selection processes (Heinze et al., 1994, Nature). Results in the attend-right condition for normal university students showed that false-alarm rates decreased and the N1 attentional effect (amplitude enhancement in the hemisphere contralateral compared to ipsilateral to the attended visual field) increased as ADHD tendency increased. The pattern of results showed more efficient attentional selection, inconsistent to the previous indication. However, the rapid stimulus presentation may have caused an immediate reward for individuals with higher ADHD tendency, which is related to delay aversion, and facilitated their attentional focus.
