J Korean Soc Biol Ther Psychiatry.  2021 Feb;27(1):40-49.

The Effect of Adult ADHD Tendency on Cognitive Functions in Young Male Adults with Depression

• Shinn SJ
• Kim YT
• Jung SW
• Lee HJ

Abstract

Objectives
：The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tendency on cognitive functions in the group of depression.
Methods
：117 male patients with depression (51 with adult ADHD and 66 with adult non-ADHD) were recruited in this study. All patients were subject to the following tests : Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (K-WAIS-IV), Executive Intelligence Test, Rey-Kim memory test, Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Lee Ji-Yeon’s adult ADHD scale.
Results
：Compared to the adult non-ADHD group, the adult ADHD group showed lower score in Rey-Kim memory test. Several test scores were negatively correlated with ASRS (free recall test trial 2 : r=-0.184, p=0.047, trial 3 : r=-0.277, p=0.002, trial 4 : r=-0.242, p=0.009, trial 5 : r=-0.264, p=0.004, delayed recall test : r=-0.187, p=0.044, recognition test : r=-0.209, p=0.024). No significant correlation was found between depression, anxiety and Rey-Kim memory test even though there is a meaningful correlation between adult ADHD tendency the severity of depression and anxiety.
Conclusion
：In this study, we found the adult ADHD with depression group has difficulties in retaining information and maintaining attention. Interestingly, it was proved the difference comes from ADHD tendency, not from the severity of depression or anxiety.

Keyword

Adult ADHD; Depression; Intelligence; Executive function; Memory