Hyperactivity, drugs and attention to features in a story

Twenty hyperactive children were divided into two groups of 10 volunteers. Group 1 was taken off its medication (methylphenidate) for two weeks and group 2 was kept on its medication at the usual dosage. About one week following the cessation of medication subjects from both groups heard a story and were shown some pictures illustrating events in the story. They were then tested on their memory for this material. One week later their delayed retention was tested. Both immediate and delayed retention was better in those children who remained on medication. This was especially true for the incidental material.