title: Hyperactivity in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): The role of executive and non-executive functions.
abstract: Motor activity of boys (age 8-12 years) with (n=19) and without (n=18) ADHD was objectively measured with actigraphy across experimental conditions that varied with regard to demands on executive functions. Activity exhibited during two n-back (1-back, 2-back) working memory tasks was compared to activity during a choice-reaction time (CRT) task that placed relatively fewer demands on executive processes and during a simple reaction time (SRT) task that required mostly automatic processing with minimal executive demands. Results indicated that children in the ADHD group exhibited greater activity compared to children in the non-ADHD group. Further, both groups exhibited the greatest activity during conditions with high working memory demands, followed by the reaction time and control task conditions, respectively. The findings indicate that large-magnitude increases in motor activity are predominantly associated with increased demands on working memory, though demands on non-executive processes are sufficient to elicit small to moderate increases in motor activity as well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, United States.
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hudec
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, United States. Electronic address: matt.alderson@okstate.edu.
authors.forename: R Matt
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Alderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, United States.
authors.forename: Connor H G
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Patros
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, United States.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lea
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, United States.
authors.forename: Stephanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tarle
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, United States.
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kasper
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D056344:Executive Function; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009043:Motor Activity; D011930:Reaction Time; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
keywords: ADHD; Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Executive functions; Working memory