RESUMEN
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by oxidative stress and a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, which also play roles in the pathogenesis of this disease and the accompanying vascular complications by increasing the production of free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché (C. ficifolia) is an edible Mexican plant whose hypoglycemic activity has been demonstrated in several experimental and clinical conditions. Recently, D-chiro-inositol has been proposed as the compound responsible for the hypoglycemic effects; however, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of this plant has not yet been explored. The aim of this research is to study the influence of a hypoglycemic, D-chiro-inositol-containing fraction from the C. ficifolia fruit (AP-Fraction) on biomarkers of oxidative stress, as well as on the inflammatory cytokines in streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The AP-Fraction obtained from the mature fruit of C. ficifolia contained 3.31 mg of D-chiro-inositol/g of AP-Fraction. The AP-Fraction was administrated daily by gavage to normal mice for 15 days as a preventive treatment. Then these animals were given streptozotocin, and the treatments were continued for an additional 33 days. Pioglitazone was used as a hypoglycemic drug for comparison. Administration of the AP-Fraction significantly increased glutathione (GSH) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver without significantly affecting the levels in other tissues. The AP-Fraction reduced TNF-α and increased IL-6 and IFN-γ in serum. Interestingly, the AP-Fraction also increased IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. These results suggest that C. ficifolia might be used as an alternative medication for the control of diabetes mellitus and that it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its hypoglycemic activity.
Asunto(s)
Antiinflamatorios/uso terapéutico , Antioxidantes/uso terapéutico , Cucurbita/química , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Inositol/uso terapéutico , Fitoterapia , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Glucemia/metabolismo , Citocinas/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Frutas , Glutatión/metabolismo , Hipoglucemiantes/farmacología , Mediadores de Inflamación/sangre , Inositol/farmacología , Hígado/metabolismo , Masculino , Malondialdehído/metabolismo , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Pioglitazona , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Tiazolidinedionas/farmacologíaRESUMEN
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE: Psacalium peltatum (H.B.K.) Cass. (Asteraceae) is used medicinally to treat diabetes, rheumatic pains, as well as gastrointestinal and kidney ailments. Previous pharmacological and chemical assays have demonstrated that an aqueous fraction from Psacalium peltatum (AP-fraction) contains a carbohydrate-type compound with hypoglycemic activity. Nevertheless, studies have not yet considered the hypoglycemic action of the AP-faction by sub-chronic administration nor on other healing properties, some of which might be associated with DM2 and other inflammatory processes. AIM OF STUDY: To determine whether a hypoglycemic carbohydrate fraction (AP-fraction) from Psacalium peltatum roots has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Healthy mice received either saline, the AP-fraction with a high content of fructans, or pioglitazone (a positive control) daily by gavage. After 15 days of treatment, these animals received a single intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin and all treatments were continued for additional 33 days. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the AP-fraction were evaluated through the quantification of biomarkers of oxidative stress (glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)) and inflammation (interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and IL-10). RESULTS: The AP-fraction reduced glycemia and the glycated hemoglobin. Furthermore, animals treated with the AP-fraction had increased GSH, while MDA was decreased in the liver and the heart, without changes in the kidneys and the pancreas. The AP-fraction significantly reduced TNF-α serum levels but did not modify IL-6; in addition, this fraction increased IFN-γ and IL-10 levels. The increase in IL-10 levels may indicate an inhibition of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, whereas the increase in IFN-γ might be indicative of a beneficial effect on the immune system. CONCLUSIONS: The AP-fraction hypoglycemic fructans from Psacalium peltatum roots showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The Psacalium peltatum hypoglycemic fructans may be valuable in preventing insulin resistance, as well as the development and progression of diabetic complications caused by chronic inflammation.
Asunto(s)
Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/farmacología , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Asteraceae/química , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamiento farmacológico , Fructanos/farmacología , Hipoglucemiantes/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Animales , Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/análisis , Glucemia/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Interferón gamma/metabolismo , Interleucina-10/análisis , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/análisis , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Ratones , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/química , Raíces de Plantas/química , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/metabolismoAsunto(s)
Femenino , Humanos , Adolescente , Adulto , Circulación Extracorporea , Cirugía Torácica , Corazón Artificial , OxigenadoresRESUMEN
La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) junto con la Fundación para Niños de las Naciones Unidas (UNICEF) estima que el número de niños afectados con anemia ferropénica excede los 750 millones, especialmenteen países en desarrollo, siendo una de las principales causas de las altas tasas de morbimortalidad infantil. Varios estudios han demostrado que este tipo de anemia se encuentra estrechamente relacionada con una depresión tanto motora como mental en el desarrollo del niño, la cual puede ser irreversible.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Anemia/prevención & control , Hierro/deficiencia , Sulfato Ferroso/métodosRESUMEN
Existe una alta prevalencia de anemia en niños menores de 2 años, independientemente del género, estado nutricional o centro de salud al que aisten. Aunque la causa de anemia es multifactorial, la alta prevalencia es sugerente de que diversos programas implementados para su control, no han sido del todo efectivos.
Asunto(s)
Niño , Anemia/diagnóstico , Deficiencias de Hierro/complicacionesRESUMEN
La aparición o deterioro de la enfermedad cardíaca durante el embarazo constituye uno de los mayores retos en cuanto al manejo anestésico, pues se deben proporcionar las mejores garantías tanto para la madre como para el feto. El conocimiento y la comprensión de la físiopatología específica de la afección de cada paciente en el contexto de los cambios fisiológicos de la gestación, constituye el principal sustrato para la planeación del procedimiento anestésico de corazón abierto. El empleo de monitoreo fetal es mandatorio para la realización de procedimientos cardiovasculares por encima de la semana 16 de gestación, con el fin de identificar tempranamente alteraciones en el bienestar fetal. Debe prestarse especial atención a garantizar un FSU adecuado optimizando los factores implicados en dicha modulación como son: flujo de la máquina, presión de perfusión durante CEC, medicación vasoactiva, temperatura, entre otras. El manejo anestésico adecuado no siempre es garante de un buen resultado; la incidencia de morbimortalidad materna y fetal-neonatal sigue siendo elevada. No existen hasta la actualidad estudios prospectivos relacionados con el tema
Asunto(s)
Cuidados Posteriores , Circulación Extracorporea/métodos , Circulación ExtracorporeaRESUMEN
La implementación de la estrategia AIEPI en Bolivia, se inicio a fines del año 1996; en este proceso se capacitó y realizó visitas de seguimiento a personal de salud de tres distritos considerados como iniciales. El presente artículo presenta los resultados de la aplicación de una metodología de evaluación del impacto de la capacitación y seguimiento de AIEPI, recomendada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), la cual se constituye en la primera prueba mundial. Los objetivos de la primera prueba mundial de la evaluación AIEPI fueron: conocer la calidad de atención al niño menor de cinco años, disponibilidad de medicamentos y equipamiento para la atención integral en servicios de salud de primer nivel de tres distritos; identificar las barreras que impiden la integridad de la atención; validar la metodología propuesta por la OMS. La evaluación fue realizada en abril de 1999 en los distritos rurales Altiplano Valle Sur en La Paz, Valles Cruceños y Chuquitania Centro en Santa Cruz. Consistió en la visita de equipos de evaluadores para observar el manejo de casos, realizar una entrevista de salida a la madre, re-examinar al niño y revisar el equipamiento y provisión de medicamentos. Se incluyeron 36 servicios de salud seleccionados aleatoriamente, se observó a 54 trabajadores de salud que atendieron 102 niños. Los resultados mostraron que las habilidades clínicas han mejorado ostensiblemente, en comparación con la línea de base del año 1997. Hubo una reducción en el uso innecesario de antibióticos. Las debilidades estuvieron relacionadas con la identificación y conducta hacia la clasificación de anemia y con aspectos de consejería a la madre. Se identificaron problemas con la disponibilidad de medicamentos y la vacunación en servicios. Luego del análisis de la información recolectada se efectuaron talleres de devolución de la información a los niveles operativos, los cuales consiguieron que el personal de salud plantee recomendaciones orientadas a mejorar la aplicación de AIEPI en sus servicios. Finalmente se realizaron recomendaciones sobre la metodología de evaluación
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Prestación Integrada de Atención de Salud , Estrategias de Salud Locales , Evaluación de Procesos y Resultados en Atención de Salud , Bolivia , Servicios de Salud del Niño , Personal de SaludRESUMEN
The Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination Battery (BDAE) is one of the most widely used aphasia tests worldwide. Information about general population performance, however, is limited. This paper analyzes the effects of gender, age, socioeconomic status (SES), academic achievement, and occupation on the BDAE Spanish version. The BDAE was administered to a randomized sample of 156 occupationally active 19-60-year-old participants (75 male and 81 female) from two SES groups. Gender and age had a significant effect on some reading and writing subtests. Body-part naming and mechanics of writing scores were significantly decreased in the low SES group. Education had a significant impact over most of the BDAE subtests. A stepwise regression model showed that academic achievement was best able to predict the variance in BDAE scores with a low (< 15%) to modest (> 17%) but significant capability (F MANOVA p < .01). A factor analysis disclosed 7 factors that explained 67% of the total variance.
Asunto(s)
Afasia/diagnóstico , Lenguaje , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas , Logro , Adulto , Demografía , Escolaridad , Análisis Factorial , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
La fascitis plantar insercional es la causa mas frecuente de talalgia descrita en la literatura y frecuemente es una patologia de dificil manejo. Se origina por una lesion por tracción en el origen de la fascia plantar en la tuberosidad posteromedial plantar del calcaneo. Se presenta como un dolor a nivel plantar posteromedial del talon que es mas intenso en las mañanas con los primeros pasos del día o al levantarse de posición sentada. Existen multiples tratamientos para esta patologia. En el presente estudio se presenta un metodo de tratamiento utilizado por los autores que consiste en la practica por parte del paciente de tres ejercicios de estiramiento de la musculatura posterior del muslo, pierna y fascia plantar, como unico tratamiento. El trabajo mostro que con este metodo de tratamiento se obtienen excelentes y buenos resultados en el 80 por ciento de los pacientes. La disminución en la intensidad de los sintomas se hace evidente entre los 2 y los 6 meses del tratamiento
Asunto(s)
Protocolos Clínicos , Enfermedades del Pie , DolorRESUMEN
We present a factor analytic study of the Conners Rating Scales for parents and teachers in this article. A comparison is established with the original factor analytic studies (Conners, 1979a, 1979b) and the results obtained by Farré-Riba and Narbona (1997), using a Spanish sample. Five hundred and forty children, ages 4 to 17, were randomly selected in Manizales, Colombia. The shortened Spanish version of the Conners Parents Rating Scale (CPRS; Conners, 1979a) and the Conners Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS; Conners, 1979b) were used. Parsimonious factor analyses for both scales were developed. Three stable factors were found in the CPRS: hyperactivity, somatic symptoms, and inattention. Twenty-two out of 48 items were significantly saturated by these 3 factors. In the CTRS, 4 different factors were found that accounted for 63.5% of the total variance: uncontrolled temperament, inattention, hyperactivity, and difficulties in social relationships. Twenty out of 28 items were significantly saturated by these 3 factors. Factor structure was closer to the Spanish Farré-Riba and Narbona report than to the original findings. We concluded that the CPRS and the CTRS Spanish versions, when used by Colombian children and adolescents, do not seem to evaluate exactly the same underlying behavioral dimensions. We propose selecting only 22 items of the CPRS and 20 items of the CTRS (brief versions) for further epidemiological and clinical use.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/psicología , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas/normas , Adolescente , Conducta del Adolescente , Niño , Conducta Infantil , Preescolar , Colombia , Análisis Factorial , Femenino , Humanos , Lenguaje , Masculino , Relaciones Padres-Hijo , Instituciones Académicas , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There is growing recognition that violence and other forms of conduct problems increase during adolescence. The exact relationship between biological, psychological, and social variables has not been defined yet. OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether Intelligence Quotients (IQS), neurological history, child behavioral problems, executive functions, and soft neurological signs (SNS) can differentiate between undisciplined and unreliable adolescents (Behavioral Dysregulation Disorder subjects, BDD) and normal controls. METHOD: Twenty-five 13 to 16-year-olds, adolescents with BDD and 25 matched controls were used in this study. WISC-R, executive function assessment, neurological history, child behavioral problems, and SNS scores were analyzed using a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). A Multiple Regression Stepwise with Criteria Probability of F Analysis was used for predicting criteria variable variance. RESULTS: WISC-R Verbal IQ (VIQ), Information, Similarities, and Vocabulary subtests presented statistically significant differences between BDD and controls (p < .001). No Performance IQ (PIQ) variables established significant differences between both groups. Executive function scores did not detect significant differences between groups either. Prenatal, neonatal, and neurological history scores were similar between both groups. Two child behavioral problem variables were significantly different, with higher scores in BDD group: use of weapons and drug-use (p < .05). A Multiple Regression Stepwise (Criteria Probability of F < .05) model, entering the predictive variables in each domain (intelligence, executive function, neurological antecedents, child behavioral problems, and SNS), and using the score on the criteria variable as dependent variable, found two predictive models: (1) WISC-R Information (Ad-R-SQ = 0.172 F-Ch. = 11.176, p < .01); and (2) WISC-R Information and drug-use (R-SQ: 0.26; F-Ch = 9.605 p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A verbal factor and drug-use predicted fairly 30% of the variance of the criteria variable used for classifying adolescents with BDD. These results would mean that a language underlying factor and an environmental drug-use factor would be related to the BDD in adolescents.
Asunto(s)
Conducta del Adolescente/psicología , Trastorno de la Conducta/fisiopatología , Corteza Prefrontal/fisiopatología , Adolescente , Trastornos del Conocimiento/diagnóstico , Trastorno de la Conducta/diagnóstico , Humanos , Masculino , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Escalas de WechslerRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The BASC is a multidimensional approach to evaluate the child behavior and it has been validated on the diagnosis of ADD/+H in North American children. OBJECTIVE: Validating BASC-PRS 6-11 on the diagnosis of ADD/+H. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We selected 25 male DSM IV-ADD/+H (combined type), 6 to 11-years-old children, and 25 age, gender, and socioeconomic status matched controls. Mean ages of both groups 8.16 (1.5), schooling of controls 2.64 (1.4), and cases 2.6 (1.9). RESULTS: On the Clinical Scale ADD/+H children had significant (Anova p < 0.01) higher scores in hyperactivity, conduct problems, and attention problems. On the Adaptive Scale only significant differences on social skills and leadership were found, with lower score in the ADD/+H group. A crosstab analysis between group code and each rating variable transformed into categorical (0 and 1) variable, cut-off point = 85 percentile, found that the case children's parents qualified as clinically in higher risk the variables attention problems (OR = 24.4; 95% CI = 4.5-130), conduct problems (OR = 9.0; 95% CI = 1.7-46.9) and hyperactivity (OR = 6.8; 95% CI = 1.6-28.5) (p < 0.01). A discriminant analysis selected attention problems as discriminant function (p < 0.0001). Classification capability 84% for each group. CONCLUSION: Our results proved the validity of the BASC-PRS 6-11 questionnaire for the screening diagnosis of ADD/+H children in a Spanish speaking population.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/diagnóstico , Padres/psicología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/psicología , Niño , Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/etiología , Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/psicología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Relaciones Padres-HijoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC) has demonstrated to be useful in the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized sample of 120 children, 6 to 11-year-old, participants from the school of the city of Medellín, Colombia, was selected. The sample was stratified by sex and two socioeconomic status (SES). Parents were asked to answer the BASC Parent Rating Scale (PRS) 6-11, authorized Spanish version. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.85 for the clinical scale (9 items). It was 0.75 for the Adaptive Scale (3 items). A scale designed with 4 items to assess ADD (hyperactivity, attention problems, aggression, and conduct problems) showed an alpha coefficient of 0.82. Male children scored significantly higher than female (ANOVA, p < 0.05) in hyperactivity, conduct problems, and atypicality. Children from low SES scored significantly higher than children of high SES on the most of clinical measures (p < 0.05) and lower on the three adaptive measures. Cluster analysis selecting six clusters found a prevalence of 61.6% for normal male children. In the total sample there were a 4% at risk of DDA type II (inattentive) and 14% at risk of DDA type I (combined). CONCLUSIONS: BASC PRS (6-11) showed reliability and validity to assessing the behavior in Spanish speaking Colombian children.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/diagnóstico , Padres , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Niño , Colombia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: American Psychiatric Association has defined the DSM-IV ADD diagnostic criteria and symptoms, however, there is not a quantitative instrument to evaluate them in Spanish speaker population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of a ADD checklist in a Colombian schooling population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized and stratified by sex, age and socioeconomic level, 4 to 17-year old, sample of 540 schooling subjects was selected from Manizales City, Colombia. An ADD checklist was applied to the parents of these subjects. RESULTS: The reliability of the different dimensions of the questionnaire (18 total items, 9 items for inattention, 9 for hyperactivity-impulsivity, and 6 for hyperactivity) were strong in both sex and in all age groups (Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.71-0.92). Only the impulsivity dimension formed by three variables showed fairly weak reliability (0.42-0.79 Cronbach's alpha). Some factorial analysis found two dimensions. In the male sample first dimension (inattention) explain around the 45% of the variance, and the second dimension (hyperactivity-impulsivity) explain around the 12 to 15% of the variance in the different age groups. In the female sample the first dimension was hyperactivity-impulsivity and the second dimension was inattention. A categorical (yes or not) scored questionnaire found a ADD estimated prevalence of 16.1, distributed in type I (combined) 3.3%, in type II (inattentive) 4.3%, and type III (hyperactive-impulsive) 8.5%. Male prevalence was 19.8% and female 12.4%. CONCLUSIONS: ADD checklist Spanish version showed a strong reliability. A bidimensional stable structured was found. A clinical related ADD prevalence was presented, it was much higher than the prevalence of the developed countries.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/diagnóstico , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adolescente , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/epidemiología , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/psicología , Áreas de Influencia de Salud , Niño , Colombia/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Prevalencia , Escalas de Valoración PsiquiátricaRESUMEN
The purposes of this study were (a) to estimate the prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) symptoms in the general preschool and school population; and (b) to analyze the influence of gender, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) variables on AD/HD symptoms. Out of the 80,000 preschool and schoolchildren living in Manizales, Colombia, a random sample of 540 children was selected. Two gender, three age (4- to 5-year olds, 6- to 11-year olds, and 12- to 17-year olds), and three SES (low, middle, and high) groups were used. The 18 DSM-IV symptoms corresponding to AD/HD Criterion A were assessed on a scale of 0 (never) to 3 (almost always). All three demographic variables established statistically significant differences: AD/HD symptoms were more frequent in 6- to 11-year-old, low-SES, male participants. DSM-IV Criterion A for AD/HD was fulfilled by 19.8% of the boys and 12.3% of the girls. However, this difference was marginally significant only in the AD/HD Subtype I: Combined. It was concluded that demographic variables are significant correlates of the AD/HD diagnosis. The prevalence found in this study was higher than usually reported, even though only the symptomatic DSM-IV AD/HD criterion was analyzed. We failed to confirm the assumed AD/HD gender ratio.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/epidemiología , Adolescente , Factores de Edad , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios Transversales , Características Culturales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Prevalencia , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Factores Sexuales , Clase SocialRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of some individual variables on memory and executive function test performance in normal aging individuals. Sixty subjects (21 males and 39 females), with a mean age of 69.66 (SD = 7.09) were selected. The following neuropsychological tests were selected. The following neuropsychological tests were administered: Associative Learning and Logical Memory from the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) (Wechsler, 1945), Associative Memory with Semantic Enhancement Test (AMSET) (Pineda, Galeano and Giraldo, 1991), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WSCT) (Heaton, 1981), and Verbal Fluency (phonologic and semantic). The effects of demographic (age, education, and sex) and some individual variables (academic history, working history, physical activity, and leisure activities) were measured. Age and education effects on test scores were observed, but no sex effect was found. Working history and leisure activities established significant differences in some test scores. A multiple regression analysis was performed. Not only demographic variables, but also individual variables were associated with memory, and albeit at a lesser extend, with executive function test scores. It was emphasized that not only demographic factors, but also individual variables have a significant effect on cognitive changes observed during normal aging.
Asunto(s)
Envejecimiento/psicología , Actividad Nerviosa Superior/fisiología , Memoria/fisiología , Pruebas Psicológicas , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Colombia , Escolaridad , Femenino , Variación Genética , Humanos , Estilo de Vida , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ocupaciones , Valores de ReferenciaRESUMEN
One hundred and twenty-four male children ranging in age from seven to 12 years-old were selected. The sample was divided into two groups: (1) sixty-two with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children; and (2) sixty-two normal matched controls (N-ADHD). Three tests were individually administered: (1) Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST); (2) Verbal fluency and semantics (animals and fruits); and, (3) Picture Arrangement subtest of the WISC-R. For all the test scores, statistically significant differences were found between both ADHD and N-ADHD groups. Two separate factor analyses were performed, using the normal and ADHD groups. Four factors were found for the N-ADHD group, which accounted for 85.7% of the variance. The factor structure presented some similarities in both groups: Factor 2, 3 and 4 in the control group corresponded to factors 1, 2 and 3 in the ADHD group. Nonetheless, in the ADHD group Factor 1 (Abstraction and Flexibility Factor) was absent. Results are interpreted as supporting the hypothesis of executive dysfunction in children with ADHD.