ADHD in Children
Visual Abstract
Working memory and short-term memory deficits in ADHD: A bifactor modeling approach
Memory and ADHD in Children
Michael J. Kofler, Ph.D., Leah J. Singh, Ph.D., Elia F. Soto, M.S., Elizabeth S.M. Chan, M.A., Caroline E. Miller, B.A., Sherelle L. Harmon, Ph.D., and Jamie A. Spiegel, M.S.
Summarized by:
June 21, 2023
study source
Neuropsychology
Sep 2020
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What they studied
How does ADHD affect working and short-term memory?
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What they found
Most children with ADHD had impaired working memory abilities. Many had impaired visual-spatial short-term memory as well.
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What this means
Impaired working memory is a key aspect of ADHD. Some children may experience impaired visual-spatial short-term memory at times, but this is less common.
Working memory and short-term memory deficits in ADHD: A bifactor modeling approach
Objectives
This study wanted to examine the link between ADHD, working memory, and short-term memory. There have been many studies linking ADHD with working memory.
But the picture is less clear when it comes to short-term memory.
Study Quote
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with large magnitude impairments in working memory, whereas short-term memory deficits, when detected, tend to be less pronounced. However, confidence in these findings is limited due to task impurity combined with metho...
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Methods
To study memory and ADHD, researchers tested 172 children for working memory, verbal short-term memory, and visuospatial short-term memory.
Study Quote
A well-characterized, clinically-evaluated sample of 172 children ages 8–13 years (M=10.30, SD=1.42; 72 girls; 64% White/non-Hispanic) were administered multiple, counterbalanced working memory tests. Bifactor-(s-1) modeling was used to characterize the presence and magnitude of central ...
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Results
The results showed that, as expected, 81% of children with ADHD had impaired working memory.
Those with impaired working memory tended to have worse ADHD symptoms as well.
A study found that most children with ADHD had impaired working memory. Those with more, impaired working memory also had worse ADHD symptoms.
Impaired short-term memory was less common. Only 38% of those with ADHD were found to have impaired short-term memory.
Study Quote
ADHD status was associated with very large magnitude impairments in central executive working memory that are present in most pediatric cases (d=1.63–2.03; 75%−81% impaired), and these deficits covaried with ADHD inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptom severity based on both parent...
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Conclusions
Based on these findings, researchers concluded that working memory, which is part of executive function, is a common part of ADHD.
However, the picture is less clear regarding short-term memory. There is some evidence that some children with ADHD may have less visuospatial short-term memory. But, the ability to remember speech in the short term does not appear to be affected by ADHD.
Fortunately, working memory, the most affected type of memory in ADHD, may be improvable through training:
Study Quote
These findings provide strong evidence that ADHD is associated with marked central executive working memory deficits that covary with their behavioral symptom presentation across settings. In contrast, visuospatial short-term memory deficits, when present, are likely epiphenomenal, and t...
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