Attention is considered to be one of the key elements in human cognition. As its name implies, attentional functions are known to be impaired in individuals with Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). However, various studies have investigated different types of attentional deficits among patients with ADHD. The purpose of this review is to take a comprehensive look at evidence on different types of attentional dysfunctions in ADHD. Three different domains of attention are of interest in this review: response inhibition, attentional control, and attentional orienting systems. A number of studies demonstrate that response inhibition and attentional control are major attentional deficits in ADHD. Disengagement and attentional reorienting systems also seem to be impaired. In this review, behavior, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological findings are discussed to understand fundamental attentional deficits in ADHD. Future direction for studies aiming to elucidate and treat attentional deficits in ADHD is also discussed.
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