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Very little is known about the differences of the neurocognitive functioning of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Paediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD), since current studies do not agree on a differentiation of Executive Function (EF) between the two disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the EF deficits associated with symptomatology of ADHD and the PBD phenotype. Participants were 76 children/adolescents aged 6-17 years and their parents, submitted to a diagnostic interview and a tool for assessing EF, Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Structural Equation Modeling was used to examine associations between symptoms of ADHD and the PBD phenotype, and the EF. A model for parents and a model for children/adolescents were performed. The model indexes showed a satisfactory fit. ADHD was found to be associated with deficits in all areas of EF, especially when the predominant symptom is inattention. The presence of symptoms of PBD phenotype was associated only with difficulties in finding new strategies to solve problems and inhibiting new behaviour. The article concluded that the presence of ADHD symptoms is associated with cognitive deficits different from those that may occur with PBD symptoms. It is advisable that professionals consider patients' neurocognitive profiles in order to achieve an appropriate differential diagnosis. Ainda é pouco o que se sabe do funcionamento do Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade (TDAH) e do Transtorno Bipolar Pediátrico (TBP), já que atualmente os investigadores não concordam quanto a uma diferenciação da Função Executiva (FE) nos dois transtornos. O objetivo deste estudo é determinar os déficits da FE associados às sintomatologias de TDAH e do fenótipo do TBP. Foram avaliados 76 crianças/adolescentes com idades entre 6-17 anos e seus pais, com uma entrevista diagnóstica e um instrumento para avaliação da FE, Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Modelos de equações estruturais foram usados para examinar associações entre a sintomatologia de TDAH e do fenótipo de TBP, e a FE. Foi realizado um modelo para pais e outro para crianças/adolescentes. Os índices do modelo indicaram um ajuste satisfatório. Foi encontrado que o TDAH está associado a deficiências em todas as áreas da FE, sobretudo se a sintomatologia predominante é a desatenção. A presença de sintomatologia do fenótipo de TBP somente apresentou associação a dificuldades na busca de novas estratégias na solução de problemas e na inibição de novas condutas. Conclui-se que a presença de sintomatologia de TDAH está associada a deficiências cognitivas diferentes das que podem estar presentes no TBP. É recomendável que os profissionais considerem o perfil neurocognitivo de seus pacientes para alcançarem um diagnóstico diferencial adequado.

The Executive Function is a set of cognitive processes that are developed from the earliest ages. Recent studies in children with disruptive behaviour disorders suggest the presence of effects on the executive functioning. The aim of this study is to know the association among symptoms of Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Conduct Disorder, and Executive Function in children from 3 to 6 years old. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. An assessment was performed on a sample of 444 subjects from Spain; it was made through an inventory for parents and teachers to estimate the capacity of Executive Function. Results: a relation between the symptoms of Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and the Executive Function deficit was found. The presence of symptoms of Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder inattentive type is associated with deficiencies in all areas of Executive Function, which does not occur with other symptoms. Conclusion: It is important to know the specific characteristics of each symptomatology by taking into account their executive functioning, in order to achieve accurate diagnoses in the clinical setting, as well as appropriate therapy according to the deficiencies presented by children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe whether the independent presence of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) directly impacts on the Executive Function (EF), and to determine whether there are deficits in EF that are unique to ADHD predominantly inattentive (ADHD-I) or SCT. Method: Seventy-six participants aged 6 to 17 years and their parents were assessed using a diagnostic interview, an instrument that assesses the EF, and another instrument that assesses the SCT. Two hierarchical linear regression models were performed. The first one analyzed the independent relationship between SCT and EF, and the second model added the symptomatology of ADHD-I. Results: The SCT has a statistically significant direct relation on the EF deficits and remains in the second model even with the inclusion of the ADHD-I. Conclusion: The SCT and ADHD-I symptoms independently promote executive deficits. Children with ADHD-I symptoms showed deficits in most areas of the EF. Deficits in inhibition and initiative are unique to inattention.

The main goal of this study is to determine the degree of agreement between the reports provided by parents and teachers about oppositional defiant symptoms in school children between the ages of 6 and 8 years. In addition, it attempts to determine whether children's age and sex affect the level of agreement between informants. Parents and teachers assessed 702 girls and boys at 25 schools in the Region of Osona, Barcelona (Spain) with the Child Symptom Inventory-4 (parents' and teachers' version). The results indicate a very low agreement -practically null- between the valuations of both informants; furthermore, no significant difference due to the variables age and sex of the children was observed in the above-mentioned valuations. The parents tended to appraise most of the symptoms of the Oppositional Defiant Disorder as present and to evaluate their severity as being more intense.