Working memory and information processing in ADHD: Evidence for directionality of effects
Michael J Kofler1, Elia F Soto1, Whitney D Fosco2
1Department of Psychology.
Neuropsychology
|October 16, 2019
Summary
Children with ADHD exhibit distinct working memory deficits and slowed information processing speed, which appear to be independent impairments. Executive control significantly impacts information processing speed in children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with widespread neuropsychological deficits.
- It remains unclear if ADHD involves numerous neurocognitive impairments or a few core deficits impacting overall performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal roles of working memory and information processing speed in ADHD.
- To test competing models of neurocognitive functioning in ADHD.
Main Methods:
- 86 children (45 with ADHD, 41 without) completed tasks manipulating working memory and information processing speed.
- Bayesian mixed-model ANOVAs were used to analyze the data, with a focus on interaction effects.
Main Results:
- Increased working memory demands significantly reduced information processing speed.
- Reduced information processing speed did not affect working memory performance.
- ADHD status interacted with working memory demands, with greater differences between ADHD and non-ADHD groups under high working memory conditions.
Conclusions:
- Top-down executive control significantly influences information processing speed in children.
- Working memory deficits and slowed information processing speed appear to be independent impairments in ADHD.
- These findings clarify the neurocognitive architecture of ADHD.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
696
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
696
01:30Information Processing Approach
461
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
461
01:24Working Memory
751
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
751
01:27Language and Cognition
669
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
669
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
953
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
953
01:28Lateralization
920
Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
920