Eccentricity Effects on the Efficiency of Attentional Networks: Evidence From a Modified Attention Network Test

Attention is one of the cognitive domains typically affected in multiple sclerosis. The Attention Network Test was developed to measure the function of the three distinct attentional networks, alerting, orienting, and executive control. The Attention Network Test has been performed in various neuropsychiatric conditions, but not in multiple sclerosis. Our objective was to investigate functions of attentional networks in multiple sclerosis by means of the Attention Network Test. Patients with relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis (n = 57) and healthy controls (n = 57) matched for age, sex, and education performed the Attention Network Test. Significant differences between patients and controls were detected in the alerting network (p = 0.003), in contrast to the orienting (p = 0.696) and the conflict (p = 0.114) network of visual attention. Mean reaction time in the Attention Network Test was significantly longer in multiple sclerosis patients than in controls (p = 0.032), Multiple sclerosis patients benefited less from alerting cues for conflict resolution compared with healthy controls. The Attention Network Test revealed specific alterations of the attention network in multiple sclerosis patients which were not explained by an overall cognitive slowing.

Download Full-text

Functioning of the Attentional Networks at Rest vs. During Acute Bouts of Aerobic Exercise

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.33.5.649 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 649-665 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Florentino Huertas ◽

Javier Zahonero ◽

Daniel Sanabria ◽

Juan Lupiáñez

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Executive Control ◽

Attention Network Test ◽

General State ◽

Attention Network ◽

Attentional Functioning ◽

Attentional Networks ◽

Phasic Alertness ◽

Rest Condition

The present study explored the effects of three different activity conditions on three attentional functions: alerting, orienting, and executive control. A group of highly experienced cyclists performed the Attention Network Test–Interactions (Callejas, Lupiáñez, & Tudela, 2004) at rest, during moderate aerobic exercise, and during intense aerobic exercise. Results indicated that aerobic exercise accelerated reaction time and reduced the alerting effect compared with the rest condition. However, aerobic exercise did not modulate the functioning of either the orienting or the executive control attentional networks. No differences in reaction time or attentional functioning were observed between the two aerobic exercise workloads. The present results suggest that moderate aerobic exercise modulates the functioning of phasic alertness by increasing the general state of tonic vigilance.

Download Full-text

Asymmetric Attention Networks: The Case of Children

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617714000150 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 434-443 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sarit Yaakoby-Rotem ◽

Ronny Geva

Keyword(s):

High Efficiency ◽

Right Hemisphere ◽

Attention Network Test ◽

Attention Network ◽

Attention Networks ◽

Executive Performance ◽

Attentional Networks ◽

Main Effect ◽

Hemisphere Dominance ◽

The Right

AbstractVisuospatial attention-networks are represented in both hemispheres, with right-hemisphere dominance in adults. Little is known about the lateralization of the attentional-networks in children. To assess the lateralization of attentional-networks in children aged 5 years, performance on a Lateralized-Attention-Network-Test specifically designed for children (LANT-C) was compared with performance on the Attention-Network-Test for children (ANT-C). Participants were 82 children, aged 5–6 years (55% boys, middle–class, mainstream schooling). They were examined with both the ANT-C and the LANT-C along with evaluation of intelligence and attention questionnaires. Multiple analysis of variance showed a main effect for network, with high efficiency for orienting and lower executive efficiency (accuracy; p < .001; η2 = .282). An effect for procedure, elucidated higher efficiency in the ANT-C relatively to the LANT-C (accuracy; p < .01; η2 = .097). A procedure × network interaction effect was also found, showing that this procedure difference is present in the alerting and executive networks (accuracy; p < .05; η2 = .096). LANT-C analysis showed a left visual-field advantage in alerting, (accuracy; p < .05; η2 = .066), while executing with the right hand benefitted executive performance (response-time; p < .05; η2 = .06). Results extend previous findings manifesting a right-hemisphere advantage in children's alerting-attention, pointing to the importance of lateralization of brain function to the understanding of the integrity of attention-networks in children. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–10)

Download Full-text

Age differences in reward-motivation attention: behavioural and ERP evidence

10.32920/ryerson.14644701.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Farrah Kudus

Keyword(s):

Age Differences ◽

Executive Control ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Neural Systems ◽

Attention Network Test ◽

Attention Network ◽

Systems Research ◽

Attentional Networks ◽

Age Related ◽

Reward Motivation

The attentional system is comprised of three networks: alerting, orienting, and executive control, all of which are associated with unique neural systems. Research examining motivationcognition interactions implicate the dopaminergic and locus-coeruleus norepinephrine systems in attentional and motivational processes, both of which show age differences. The current study was conducted to explore the mechanisms through which gain and loss motivation affect attention across the lifespan, using behavioural and electrophysiological markers of attentional networks. Younger adults (18-33 years) and older adults (65-80 years) completed an incentivized version of the Attention Network Test. Our behavioural results showed age differences in incentive sensitivity, such that responses were modulated as a function of incentives. We also examined cue-N1, target-N1, and target-P3, which showed transient incentive-based modulation, and depended on incentive valence. Overall, our study provides evidence for age-related differences in the modulation of attentional networks, and contributes new insights into the mechanisms behind motivation-cognition interactions. Keywords: Attention Network Test, Motivation, Incentives, Cognitive Aging, Alerting, Executive Control

Download Full-text

Associations between Regional Cortical Thickness and Attentional Networks as Measured by the Attention Network Test

Cerebral Cortex ◽

10.1093/cercor/bhq101 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 345-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

Lars T. Westlye ◽

Håkon Grydeland ◽

Kristine B. Walhovd ◽

Anders M. Fjell

Keyword(s):

Cortical Thickness ◽

Attention Network Test ◽

Attention Network ◽

Attentional Networks

Download Full-text

Age differences in reward-motivation attention: behavioural and ERP evidence

10.32920/ryerson.14644701 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Farrah Kudus

Keyword(s):

Age Differences ◽

Executive Control ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Neural Systems ◽

Attention Network Test ◽

Attention Network ◽

Systems Research ◽

Attentional Networks ◽

Age Related ◽

Reward Motivation

The attentional system is comprised of three networks: alerting, orienting, and executive control, all of which are associated with unique neural systems. Research examining motivationcognition interactions implicate the dopaminergic and locus-coeruleus norepinephrine systems in attentional and motivational processes, both of which show age differences. The current study was conducted to explore the mechanisms through which gain and loss motivation affect attention across the lifespan, using behavioural and electrophysiological markers of attentional networks. Younger adults (18-33 years) and older adults (65-80 years) completed an incentivized version of the Attention Network Test. Our behavioural results showed age differences in incentive sensitivity, such that responses were modulated as a function of incentives. We also examined cue-N1, target-N1, and target-P3, which showed transient incentive-based modulation, and depended on incentive valence. Overall, our study provides evidence for age-related differences in the modulation of attentional networks, and contributes new insights into the mechanisms behind motivation-cognition interactions. Keywords: Attention Network Test, Motivation, Incentives, Cognitive Aging, Alerting, Executive Control

Download Full-text

Neurofeedback-Training bei Kindern mit Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/ Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS)

Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie ◽

10.1024/1422-4917/a000070 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 409-420 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Holger Gevensleben ◽

Gunther H. Moll ◽

Hartmut Heinrich

Keyword(s):

Attention Network Test ◽

Sich Eine ◽

Neurofeedback Training ◽

Attention Network ◽

Klinische Wirksamkeit

Im Rahmen einer multizentrischen, randomisierten, kontrollierten Studie evaluierten wir die klinische Wirksamkeit eines Neurofeedback-Trainings (NF) bei Kindern mit einer Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) und untersuchten die einem erfolgreichen Training zugrunde liegenden neurophysiologischen Wirkmechanismen. Als Vergleichstraining diente ein computergestütztes Aufmerksamkeitstraining, das dem Setting des Neurofeedback-Trainings in den wesentlichen Anforderungen und Rahmenbedingungen angeglichen war. Auf Verhaltensebene (Eltern- und Lehrerbeurteilung) zeigte sich das NF-Training nach Trainingsende dem Kontrolltraining sowohl hinsichtlich der ADHS-Kernsymptomatik als auch in assoziierten Bereichen überlegen. Für das Hauptzielkriterium (Verbesserung im FBB-HKS Gesamtwert) ergab sich eine mittlere Effektstärke (von 0.6). Sechs Monate nach Trainingsende (follow-up) konnte das gleiche Ergebnismuster gefunden werden. Die Ergebnisse legen somit den Schluss nahe, dass NF einen klinisch wirksamen Therapiebaustein zur Behandlung von Kindern mit ADHS darstellt. Auf neurophysiologischer Ebene (EEG; ereignisbezogene Potentiale, EPs) konnten für die beiden Neurofeedback-Protokolle Theta/Beta-Training und Training langsamer kortikaler Potentiale spezifische Effekte aufgezeigt werden. So war für das Theta/Beta-Training beispielsweise die Abnahme der Theta-Aktivität mit einer Reduzierung der ADHS-Symptomatik assoziiert. Für das SCP-Training wurde u. a. im Attention Network Test eine Erhöhung der kontingenten negativen Variation beobachtet, die die mobilisierten Ressourcen bei Vorbereitungsprozessen widerspiegelt. EEG- und EP-basierte Prädiktorvariablen konnten ermittelt werden. Der vorliegende Artikel bietet einen Gesamtüberblick über die in verschiedenen Publikationen unserer Arbeitsgruppe beschriebenen Ergebnisse der Studie und zeigt zukünftige Fragestellungen auf.

Download Full-text