Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Executive Dysfunctions in ADHD: Implications for Inhibitory Control, Interference Control, Working Memory, and Cognitive Flexibility

Nejati, Vahid, Salehinejad, Mohammad Ali, Nitsche, Michael A., Najian, Asal, Javadi, Amir-Homayoun (2017) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Executive Dysfunctions in ADHD: Implications for Inhibitory Control, Interference Control, Working Memory, and Cognitive Flexibility. Journal of Attention Disorders, . ISSN 1087-0547. E-ISSN 1557-1246. (doi:10.1177/1087054717730611) (KAR id:63544)

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1087054717730611

Abstract

Objective: This study examined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the DLPFC and OFC on major executive functions (EFs) including response inhibition, executive control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility/task switching in ADHD.

Methods: ADHD children received (a) left anodal / right cathodal DLPFC tDCS and (b) sham stimulation in experiment one and (a) left anodal DLPFC / right cathodal OFC tDCS (b) left cathodal DLPFC / right anodal OFC tDCS and (c) sham stimulation in experiment two. The current intensity was 1 mA for 15 min with a 72-hr interval between sessions. Subjects underwent Go/No-Go task, Nback test, WCST and Stroop task after tDCS.

Results: anodal lDLPFC tDCS most clearly affected executive control functions (e.g., WM, interference inhibition), while cathodal lDLPFC tDCS improved inhibitory control. Cognitive flexibility/task switching benefited from combined DLPFC-OFC, but not DLPFC stimulation alone.

Conclusion: Task specific stimulation protocols can improve EFs in ADHD.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1177/1087054717730611
Uncontrolled keywords:	transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), ADHD, executive control, inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, DLPFC, OFC
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Institutional Unit:	Schools > School of Psychology > Psychology
Former Institutional Unit:	Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	Amir-Homayoun Javadi
Date Deposited:	25 Sep 2017 11:28 UTC
Last Modified:	20 May 2025 13:14 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/63544 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Javadi, Amir-Homayoun.

Creator's ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0569-6441
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