Cognitive Performance and Psychiatric Self-Reports Across Adult Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome and ADHD Diagnostic Groups

Brian M Cerny; Tristan P Reynolds; Fini Chang; Lauren M Scimeca; Matthew S Phillips; Caitlin M Ogram Buckley; Sophie I Leib; Zachary J Resch; Neil H Pliskin; Jason R Soble

doi:10.1177/10870547221136216

Cognitive Performance and Psychiatric Self-Reports Across Adult Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome and ADHD Diagnostic Groups

J Atten Disord. 2023 Feb;27(3):258-269. doi: 10.1177/10870547221136216. Epub 2022 Nov 10.

Authors

Brian M Cerny^{1

2}, Tristan P Reynolds¹, Fini Chang^{1

3}, Lauren M Scimeca^{1

2}, Matthew S Phillips^{1

4}, Caitlin M Ogram Buckley^{1

5}, Sophie I Leib^{1

6}, Zachary J Resch¹, Neil H Pliskin¹, Jason R Soble¹

Affiliations

¹ University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, USA.
² Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA.
³ University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
⁴ The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, IL, USA.
⁵ University of Rhode Island, Kingston, USA.
⁶ Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA.

PMID: 36354066
DOI: 10.1177/10870547221136216

Abstract

Objective: Cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) is characterized by inattention, under-arousal, and fatigue and frequently co-occurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although CDS is associated with cognitive complaints, its association with objective cognitive performance is less well understood.

Method: This study investigated neuropsychological correlates of CDS symptoms among 169 adults (M_age = 29.4) referred for outpatient neuropsychological evaluation following inattention complaints. We evaluated cognitive and self-report differences across four high/low CDS and positive/negative ADHD groups, and cognitive and self-report correlates of CDS symptomology.

Results: There were no differences in cognitive performance, significant differences in self-reported psychiatric symptoms (greater CDS symptomatology, impulsivity among the high CDS groups; greater inattention among the positive ADHD/high CDS groups; greater hyperactivity among the positive ADHD groups), significant intercorrelations within cognitive and self-report measures, nonsignificant correlations between cognitive measures and self-report measures.

Conclusion: Findings support prior work demonstrating weak to null associations between ADHD and CDS symptoms and cognitive performance among adults.

Keywords: ADHD; assessment; cognitive disengagement syndrome; sluggish cognitive tempo.

MeSH terms

Adult
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / diagnosis
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / epidemiology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / psychology
Cognition
Humans
Impulsive Behavior
Neuropsychological Tests
Self Report