The influence of working memory load on response inhibition in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or reading disorder

J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2011 Aug;33(7):753-64. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2011.554385. Epub 2011 Jun 24.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between response inhibition and working memory in 8-12-year-old children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 19), reading disorder (RD; n = 17), ADHD + RD (n = 21), and control children (n = 19). For the first time a within-task methodology was used to study the combined effect of both executive functions on a common measure of task performance in two often comorbid childhood disorders, ADHD and RD. We found evidence of an interaction between both domains, suggesting that they rely on a common pool of resources. In addition, we found that children with ADHD or RD were not more seriously affected by the combined load of both executive functions than children without ADHD or RD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / complications*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Child
  • Decision Making
  • Dyslexia / complications*
  • Dyslexia / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis
  • Memory Disorders / etiology*
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Reaction Time / physiology