Impulsivity, comprising deviations of brain-based bottom-up and top-down control processes, has been regarded as a crucial, early emerging marker of a developmental pathway to attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) and externalizing disorders. In two independent studies (a cross-sectional study and a longitudinal study), we analyzed the concurrent and predictive validity of a task-based neuropsychological impulsivity measure for preschool children. The sample of Study 1 comprised 102 3–5-year-old children (46% boys). In Study 2, 138 children (59% boys) with elevated ADHD symptoms were recruited and assessed at the ages of 4–5 and 8 years. In both studies, preschool impulsivity was measured by a summary score of neuropsychological tasks on approach motivation and hot inhibitory control. For Study 1, the impulsivity measure was significantly associated with symptoms of ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (χ²(1) = 9.8, p = 0.002; χ²(1) = 8.1, p = 0.004). In Study 2, the impulsivity measure predicted the 8-year-olds’ ADHD diagnoses over and above concurrent ADHD symptoms (χ²(1) = 10.0, p = 0.002, OR = 5.0, 95% CI: 1.8–14.0). The impulsivity measure showed good concurrent and predictive validity. The measure can be useful for the early identification of children at risk for developing ADHD and externalizing disorders.

中文翻译：

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冲动作为早期出现的脆弱性因素-通过学前神经心理测验预测多动症

冲动性包括基于大脑的自下而上和自上而下的控制过程的偏差，已被认为是注意力缺陷/多动症（ADHD）和外在性疾病发展途径的关键，早期新兴标志。在两项独立的研究（一项横断面研究和一项纵向研究）中，我们分析了一项基于任务的针对学龄前儿童的神经心理冲动测度的同时和预测效度。研究1的样本包括102名3至5岁的儿童（男孩占46％）。在研究2中，招募并评估了4-5岁和8岁的138位多动症症状升高的儿童（男孩占59％）。在两项研究中，学前的冲动都是通过对进场动机和热抑制控制的神经心理学任务的总分来衡量的。对于研究1，²（1）= 9.8，p = 0.002；χ ²（1）= 8.1，p = 0.004）。在研究2中，冲动度量预测8岁ADHD诊断之上并发多动症的症状（χ ²（1）= 10.0，p = 0.002，OR = 5.0，95％CI：1.8-14.0）。冲动测验显示出良好的并发和预测效度。该措施可用于及早发现有患多动症和外在性疾病风险的儿童。