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Review
. 2016 May 12:12:1191-202.
doi: 10.2147/NDT.S104620. eCollection 2016.

A review of executive function deficits in autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Francesco Craig  1 , Francesco Margari  2 , Anna R Legrottaglie  1 , Roberto Palumbi  1 , Concetta de Giambattista  1 , Lucia Margari  1
Affiliations
Review

A review of executive function deficits in autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Francesco Craig et al. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. .

Abstract

Executive dysfunction has been shown to be a promising endophenotype in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article reviewed 26 studies that examined executive function comparing ASD and/or ADHD children. In light of findings from this review, the ASD + ADHD group appears to share impairment in both flexibility and planning with the ASD group, while it shares the response inhibition deficit with the ADHD group. Conversely, deficit in attention, working memory, preparatory processes, fluency, and concept formation does not appear to be distinctive in discriminating from ASD, ADHD, or ASD + ADHD group. On the basis of neurocognitive endophenotype, the common co-occurrence of executive function deficits seems to reflect an additive comorbidity, rather than a separate condition with distinct impairments.

Keywords: ASD + ADHD; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; autism spectrum disorder; executive function; neurocognitive endophenotype.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Similarities and differences in executive functioning between ASD, ADHD, and ASD + ADHD groups. Notes: The ASD + ADHD group appeared to share impairment in the flexibility and planning with the ASD group, while it shares the response inhibition deficit with the ADHD group. Conversely, deficit in attention, WM, preparatory processes, fluency, and concept formation does not appear to be distinctive in discriminating from ASD, ADHD, or ASD + ADHD group. Abbreviations: ASD, autism spectrum disorder; ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; WM, working memory.
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