title: Working memory contributes to elevated motor activity in adults with ADHD: an examination of the role of central executive and storage/rehearsal processes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relationship between working memory (WM) and objectively measured motor activity was examined in adults with ADHD and healthy controls (HCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five adults (ADHD = 20, HC = 15) were grouped using self-report and collateral-report measures in addition to a semistructured clinical interview. All participants completed control conditions with minimal WM demands, and separate phonological (PH) and visuospatial (VS) WM tasks with recall demands ranging from four to seven stimuli.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ADHD group exhibited significantly more motor activity relative to the HC group, and both groups exhibited greater activity during PH and VS WM tasks, relative to control conditions. Finally, the central executive (CE) and PH storage/rehearsal subsystems were associated with large-magnitude between-group differences in activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that increased demands on WM, particularly the CE and PH storage/rehearsal, contribute to ADHD-related hyperactivity, though a portion of excessive motor activity in adults with ADHD may occur independently of WM demands.
authors.affiliation: 1Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hudec
authors.forename: R Matt
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Alderson
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kasper
authors.forename: Connor H G
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Patros
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D009043:Motor Activity; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ADHD; actigraphy; adults; motor activity; working memory