Neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological evaluations were performed in a
pilot study of adolescents with DSM-III-R disruptive behavior disorders,
including conduct disorder (CD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD). The following comparisons were made: 1) CD comorbid with
ADHD vs. CD only; 2) all subjects with ADHD vs. all non-ADHD; and 3) all
subjects with CD vs. all non-CD. The CD + ADHD group had increased
left-sided soft signs compared with the CD group. CD + ADHD subjects
significantly underperformed CD subjects on several executive functioning
measures, with no differences on Verbal IQ subtests. Results are discrepant
with previous findings of deficient verbal functioning in delinquent
populations. However, findings may not be generalizable because of sampling
limitations.
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