Visuo-Spatial Working Memory Span: A Sensitive Measure of Cognitive Deficits in Children With ADHD

Abstract

Working memory (WM) has been hypothesised to be impaired in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, there are few studies reported on tests measuring visuo-spatial WM (VSWM) in ADHD. Some of these studies used paradigms including episodic memory, others only used low memory loads. In the present study we used a VSWM test that has not been used previously in ADHD research. The sensitivity of the VSWM test and a choice reaction time (CRT) test was evaluated in a pilot study by comparing them to two commonly used tests in ADHD-research; the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and a Go/no-go test, in children with and without ADHD. The groups differed significantly in performance on the VSWM test (P < .01) and CRT (P < .05) but not on the CPT (P > .1) or on the Go/no-go test (P > .1). The results from the VSWM and CRT tests were replicated in a larger sample of participants (80 boys; 27 boys with ADHD and 53 controls, mean age 11.4 years). The difference between the groups was significant for both the VSWM test (P < .01) and the CRT test (P < .01). The effect size (ES) of the VSWM test was 1.34. There was a significant age-by-group interaction on the VSWM test, with larger group differences for the older children (P < .01). Our results show that the VSWM test is a sensitive measure of cognitive deficits in ADHD and it supports the hypothesis that deficits in VSWM is a major component of ADHD.

White Matter Microstructure in Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus Associated with Spatial Working Memory Performance in Children

“…Working memory is the ability to maintain and manipulate information relevant for the task at hand (Baddeley, 1981). Executive functions like working memory are considered essential for performing goal-oriented behaviors, and SWM deficits have been associated with behavioral disorders in children such as autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Corbett, Constantine, Hendren, Rocke, & Ozonoff, 2009;Goldberg et al, 2005;Westerberg, Hirvikoski, Forssberg, & Klingberg, 2004). Studies of SWM have consistently implicated several brain regions as contributing to on-line maintenance and manipulation of spatial information.…”

Visual fields in children with attention‐deficit / hyperactivity disorder before and after treatment with stimulants

“…Although ADHD per se does not imply generalized cognitive impairment Visual fields in children with attention-deficit ⁄ hyperactivity disorder before and after treatment with stimulants (Shue & Douglas 1992;Aron et al 2003;Clark et al 2007), it is associated with different dysfunctions and abnormalities of the central nervous system (CNS). It has also been suggested that impaired visuo)spatial working memory is a major component of ADHD (Westerberg et al 2004). The disorder is treated with stimulant medication when rehabilitation and other support measures are insufficient.…”

The effects of distraction and a brief intervention on auditory and visual-spatial working memory in college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…ADHD related visual-spatial working memory deficits tend to become more pronounced with increased task difficulty (Young et al, 2007) and may be associated with dysfunction in right prefrontal cortex brain regions (Clark et al, 2007). Although some researchers believe that spatial working memory impairments are secondary to the difficulties with inhibitory control that are often associated with ADHD (Ross, Harris, Olincy, & Radant, 2000), others view the spatial working memory deficit as a primary problem (Westerberg, Hirvikoski, Forssberg, & Klingberg, 2004).…”