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Working memory in Down syndrome: is there a dual task deficit?
S Lanfranchi1, A Baddeley, S Gathercole
1Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. silvia.lanfranchi@unipd.it
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR
|July 6, 2011
Summary
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) show working memory deficits, particularly in verbal tasks and dual-task conditions. This suggests a central executive impairment in DS.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit challenges in dual-task performance compared to controls.
- Previous research indicates deficits in both verbal and visuospatial dual tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dual-task deficit in working memory within individuals with Down syndrome.
- To further explore the nature of working memory impairments in DS.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 45 individuals with DS and 45 typically developing children matched for verbal mental age.
- Utilized verbal and visuospatial working memory tasks under single-task and dual-task conditions (same and cross-modality).
Main Results:
- Individuals with DS demonstrated impairments in verbal working memory tasks.
- A significant further impairment was observed in all dual-task conditions for individuals with DS.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a central executive impairment in individuals with Down syndrome.
- Working memory deficits in DS are particularly evident in verbal processing and when managing multiple tasks.
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