Time Processing In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Time processing is a primary brain activity for the proper functioning of people in their daily activities. Its affectation is one of the most important signs of dysfunction in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The aim was to review the background and scientific studies carried out on time processing in patients with ADHD, as well as top put forward a proposal for evaluating this function in populations with this neurodevelopmental disorder. Although time processing has not been studied clinically in detail, it has been approached experimentally in the neuroscientific field. Most studies of time processing have been based on functional phenomena related to time perception and timed motor reproductions; distortions of these two functions have been described in people with ADHD. Several theories based on a primary affectation of time processing have been proposed; however, on some occasions this affectation has been considered secondary to the nuclear alterations of the disorder. The cognitive processes related to temporal processing are rather diverse and require the functioning of different cognitive domains. Although some tests have been developed for the evaluation of this function, new tools are needed for the proper assessment of time processing in people with ADHD.