Early Gamma-Band Activity During Interference Predicts Working Memory Distractibility in ADHD
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
Published on: July 16, 2015
Alexander Prehn-Kristensen1, Christian D Wiesner2, Lioba Baving3
1Center for Integrative Psychiatry, Kiel, Germany Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany a.prehn@zip-kiel.de.
Objectives:
Patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) display deficits in working memory (WM) and enhanced distractibility.
Methods:
Evoked gamma-band response (GBR) occurs already 50 ms after stimulus onset and is modulated by attention. 16 boys with ADHD and 20 healthy controls (10-14 years) completed a WM task with distraction.
Results:
Occipitally evoked 40 Hz-GBR was higher during distraction in ADHD than controls. GBR correlated negatively with interference control.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that ADHD patients are disturbed by interference on an early level of perception.
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Working Memory
Interference and Decay
Interference occurs when competing memories hinder the retrieval of particular information. It can be classified into two types: proactive and retroactive interference. Proactive...