Schizophrenia and Attention Deficit Disorder

Abstract

Attentional dysfunction can be found in nearly every form of psychopathology, not just in attention deficit disorder (ADD). Being able to distinguish ADD from other psychiatric conditions is crucial for clinicians working with adolescents and young adults, particularly in the case of psychoses where making the correct diagnosis and beginning treatment promptly is extremely important. In this paper we review the literature on the attentional dysfunction found in schizophrenia and compare it to that found in ADD in an effort to increase our knowledge of etiology and underlying mechanisms. Investigators studying ADD may learn from the study of schizophrenia by realizing that ADD is also a complex disorder of attention that occurs across the developmental spectrum and is characterized by various predispositional, environmental, and maturational factors.

Effect of randomized supplementation with high dose olive, flax or fish oil on serum phospholipid fatty acid levels in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…For this study, adults with ADHD were the population of choice. Approximately 75% of adults with ADHD suffer from other psychiatric disorders such as bipolar mood disorders, schizophrenia, depression and dyslexia [28,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36], and these and other neuropsychiatric conditions are associated with decreased fish consumption and/or decreased omega-3 fatty acid levels in blood serum or RBC [10-14, 16, 17, 37-41]. ADHD is also frequently comorbid with CHD [28].…”

Clinical and functional implications of a history of childhood ADHD in first-episode psychosis

“…They each involve a dysregulation in the dopamine system, and are treated with medications that modify its function (Mehler-Wex et al, 2006). Their association is further driven, but also obscured, by prominent shared symptoms, such as deficits in attention (Barr, 2001;Carter et al, 2010). Additionally, substance abuse may be an important moderator of their relationship, as a history of childhood ADHD increases both the rate of substance use disorders (SUDs) (Charach et al, 2011), and the psychotogenic potential of drugs of abuse (Roncero et al, 2012;Salo et al, 2013).…”

Pre-treatment with the mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268 attenuates DOI-induced impulsive responding and regional c-Fos protein expression

“…Deficits in impulse control and attention are found in several neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia, or drug addiction (Barr 2001;Egeland et al 2003;Chudasama and Robbins 2004;Dalley et al 2004). Impulsivity, broadly defined as acting prematurely and without sufficient foresight, is characterized by deficits in inhibitory control, intolerance of delay to reward, and quick decision making due to a lack of consideration (Evenden 1999b;Winstanley et al 2006).…”