Allocentric but not egocentric visual memory difficulties in adults with ADHD may represent cognitive inefficiency

• Published in: Psychiatry research Vol. 228; no. 3; pp. 649 - 658
• Main Authors: Brown, Franklin C., Roth, Robert M., Katz, Lynda J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 30.08.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Allocentric; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; Cognition Disorders - epidemiology; Cognition Disorders - psychology; Cognitive efficiency; Female; Humans; Male; Memory Disorders - diagnosis; Memory Disorders - epidemiology; Memory Disorders - psychology; Memory, Short-Term - physiology; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological assessment; Neuropsychological Tests; Photic Stimulation - methods; Psychiatry; Reaction Time - physiology; Visual memory; Visual Perception - physiology; Young Adult; Cognitive efficiency; Allocentric; Visual memory; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Neuropsychological assessment
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.04.051

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has often been conceptualized as arising executive dysfunctions (e.g., inattention, defective inhibition). However, recent studies suggested that cognitive inefficiency may underlie many ADHD symptoms, according to reaction time and processing speed abnormalities. This study explored whether a non-timed measure of cognitive inefficiency would also be abnormal. A sample of 23 ADHD subjects was compared to 23 controls on a test that included both egocentric and allocentric visual memory subtests. A factor analysis was used to determine which cognitive variables contributed to allocentric visual memory. The ADHD sample performed significantly lower on the allocentric but not egocentric conditions. Allocentric visual memory was not associated with timed, working memory, visual perception, or mental rotation variables. This paper concluded by discussing how these results supported a cognitive inefficiency explanation for some ADHD symptoms, and discussed future research directions. •Allocentric visual memory was lower among ADHD subjects than controls.•Egocentric visual memory did not differ among ADHD subjects or controls.•Allocentric visual memory weaknesses reflect cognitive inefficiency within ADHD.•Allocentric visual memory was independent of working memory and spatial skills.