title: Stimulant medication improves recognition memory in children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: The effect of stimulant medication on recognition memory was examined in 18 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recognition memory was assessed using a delayed matching-to-sample task at 6 delays ranging from 1 to 32 s. Each child was tested on 2 separate occasions, once 60 to 90 min after taking stimulant medication and the other at least 18 hr after taking medication. Children performed significantly better on medication than off. Stimulant administration significantly increased accuracy and the number of nickel reinforcers earned. Decreases in observing response latency and correct choice response latency occurred after taking stimulant medication. The results indicate that stimulant medication improved recognition memory for children with ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-Arkansas Children's Hospital, and National Center for Toxicological Research, 72204, USA. jjchelonis@mail.ualr.edu
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chelonis
authors.forename: Mark C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Eldon G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: Donna J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: Alyssa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wenger
authors.forename: Merle G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Paule
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology