Does the Continuous Performance Test Predict ADHD Symptoms Severity and ADHD Presentation in Adults?

Our study aimed to provide empirical evidence on the usefulness of one of the most popular neuropsychological tests, the Continuous Performance Test (CPT), as a marker of ADHD severity and presentations among adults. ADHD participants were recruited in a specialized center for the diagnosis and treatment of adults suffering from ADHD ( = 201). Measures included the CPT3™ and ADHD symptoms using a clinical interview and self-reported measures. Only 51.7% of the participants were classified as likely to have a disorder characterized by attention deficit, such as ADHD, by the CPT. The relationships between CPT variables and ADHD symptoms were small. The classification error was 80.3% for the inattentive presentation and 22.5% for the hyperactive presentation when using the CPT to identify ADHD presentations. There was no evidence of the clinical utility of the CPT to assess or monitor ADHD in adult populations diagnosed and treated for ADHD.