Working memory and left medial temporal cortical thickness

ABSTRACT

Objective

To perform a pilot study to investigate the association between working memory and cortical thickness in a sample of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children.

Methods

Seventeen children aged 7-10 years diagnosed with ADHD and 16 healthy children underwent a magnetic resonance scan for cortical thickness measurements. Data was correlated with working memory performance using the Backwards Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.

Results

Working memory impairment, evidenced by lower scores on the Backwards Digit Span, was observed in patients with ADHD compared to healthy controls. There was a direct correlation between working memory and cortical thickness of the left medial temporal lobe (Spearman’s correlation coefficient: 0.499; p < 0.005).

Conclusions

Our data suggests, for the first time, a correlation between working memory, evaluated by the Backwards Digit Span, and left medial temporal cortical thickness.

RESUMO

Objetivo

Realizar estudo piloto para investigar a associação entre memória de trabalho e espessura cortical em crianças com transtorno de défict de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH).

Métodos

Dezessete crianças com TDAH, entre 7 e 10 anos, e dezesseis crianças saudáveis foram submetidas a ressonância magnética para aferição de espessura cortical. Os dados foram correlacionados com desempenho da memória de trabalho usando a ordem inversa do subteste Dígitos da Escala de Inteligência Wechsler para Crianças.

Resultados

Prejuízos na memória de trabalho, evidenciado pela menor pontuação na ordem inversa do subteste Dígitos, foram observados em pacientes com TDAH, em comparação com crianças saudáveis. Observou-se correlação direta entre memória de trabalho e espessura do lobo temporal médio à esquerda (coeficiente de correlação de Spearman: 0,499; p < 0,005).

Conclusões

Nossos dados sugerem, pela primeira vez, uma correlação entre memória de trabalho, avaliada através da pontuação na ordem inversa do subteste Dígitos, e espessura do córtex temporal medial à esquerda.

attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity - child - memory

transtorno do déficit de atenção com hiperatividade - criança - memória

Publication History

Received: 30 April 2016

Accepted: 13 June 2016

Article published online:
06 September 2023

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