Neural responses to global and local visual information processing provide neural signatures of ADHD symptoms

Abstract

Abstract Background: Individuals with ADHD exhibit a reduced “global bias” in perceptual processing. This bias characterizes typical individuals’ tendency to prioritize global over local information processing. However, the relationship between specific ADHD symptoms and global/local processing is not clear. The present study addressed this gap using an ensemble task in a large sample (N = 465). Methods: EEG recordings enabled the isolation of neural responses to individual and global stimuli through linear regression modeling. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the adult ADHD self-report scale. Results: Our results revealed a significant association between inattention symptoms and early global processing, suggesting a decreased global prioritization in individuals with higher inattention scores. Additionally, both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms were associated with later local processing, evidenced by attenuated neural responses in individuals with greater symptoms. Conclusions: These findings offer insights that ADHD encompasses deficits in both global and local processing, challenging previous theories that only focused on global processing impairments.