AbstractThe historic development of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) construct is, in many cases, paralleled by research questions addressed with the continu-ous performance test (CPT). This task, the use of which dates
back to the 1950s for the diagnosis of brain damage, requires responding to rare targets in a sequence of stimuli during prolonged assessment. In our review, we illustrate how the CPT was and still is used for the assessment of sustained
attention and impulsivity as core features of ADHD. In addi-tion to impaired performance at the neuropsychological level, the CPT also taps underlying brain activity that can be regis-tered by neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI and EEG.
The latter allows more detailed operationalization of ADHD theories, and reveals impairments at different stages of infor-mation processing. The CPT has also been applied for treat-ment evaluation. Recently, distinct genetic effects on prepara-tion and response control or impulsivity were detected using the CPT. As such, the task remains a valuable tool for further investigations of genetic and environmental factors of ADHD. KeywordsAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Continuous performance test (CPT).Inattention. Preparation. Omission and commission error.Cue-P3. CNV.NoGo-P3.Endophenotype.Genetic