Working memory deficits in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): The contribution of central executive and subsystem processes

    Authors

    M. D. Rapport; R. M. Alderson; M. J. Kofler; D. E. Sarver; J. Bolden;V. Sims

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Abnorm. Child Psychol.

    Keywords

    ADHD; working memory; attention; attention-deficit/hyperactivity; disorder; SHORT-TERM-MEMORY; LATENT-VARIABLE APPROACH; HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER; NAMING SPEED; CHILDREN; SCHOOL; AGE; RECOGNITION; PERFORMANCE; PREDICTORS; Psychology, Clinical; Psychology, Developmental

    Abstract

    The current study investigated contradictory findings from recent experimental and meta-analytic studies concerning working memory deficits in ADHD. Working memory refers to the cognitive ability to temporarily store and mentally manipulate limited amounts of information for use in guiding behavior. Phonological (verbal) and visuospatial (nonverbal) working memory were assessed across four memory load conditions in 23 boys (12 ADHD, 11 typically developing) using tasks based on Baddeley's (Working memory, thought, and action, Oxford University Press, New York, 2007) working memory model. The model posits separate phonological and visuospatial storage and rehearsal components that are controlled by a single attentional controller (CE: central executive). A latent variable approach was used to partial task performance related to three variables of interest: phonological buffer/rehearsal loop, visuospatial buffer/rehearsal loop, and the CE attentional controller. ADHD-related working memory deficits were apparent across all three cognitive systems-with the largest magnitude of deficits apparent in the CE-even after controlling for reading speed, nonverbal visual encoding, age, IQ, and SES.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

    Volume

    36

    Issue/Number

    6

    Publication Date

    1-1-2008

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    825

    Last Page

    837

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000257726600003

    ISSN

    0091-0627

    Share

    COinS