The Relation Between Working Memory Components and ADHD Symptoms From a Developmental Perspective

• Published in: Developmental neuropsychology Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 181 - 198
• Main Authors: Tillman, Carin, Eninger, Lilianne, Forssman, Linda, Bohlin, Gunilla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2011; Taylor & Francis; Psychology Press
• Subjects: ADHD; Adolescent; Age; Age Factors; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications; Attention deficit disorders. Hyperactivity; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child clinical studies; Children & youth; Developmental disabilities; Developmental Disabilities - complications; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Memory; Memory Disorders - diagnosis; Memory Disorders - etiology; Memory, Short-Term - physiology; Neuropsychological Tests; Neuropsychology; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psykologi; SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP; SOCIAL SCIENCES; Socialvetenskap; Verbal Learning - physiology; Visual Perception - physiology; working memory; Human; Verbal memory; Symptomatology; Language; Visual memory; Adolescent; Cognition; Attention disorder with hyperactivity; Cognitive development; Working memory; Child; Spatial memory
• ISSN: 8756-5641; 1532-6942; 1532-6942
• DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2010.549981

The objective was to examine the relations between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and four working memory (WM) components (short-term memory and central executive in verbal and visuospatial domains) in 284 6-16-year-old children from the general population. The results showed that verbal and visuospatial short-term memory and verbal central executive uniquely contributed to inattention symptoms. Age interacted with verbal short-term memory in predicting inattention, with the relation being stronger in older children. These findings support the notion of ADHD as a developmental disorder, with changes in associated neuropsychological deficits across time. The results further indicate ADHD-related deficits in several specific WM components.