The Multiple Object Avoidance (MOA) task measures attention for action: Evidence from driving and sport

Performance in everyday tasks, such as driving and sport, requires allocation of attention to task-relevant information and the ability to inhibit task-irrelevant information. Yet there are individual differences in this attentional function ability. This research investigates a novel task for measuring attention for action, called the Multiple Object Avoidance task (MOA), in its relation to the everyday tasks of driving and sport. The aim in Study 1 was to explore the efficacy of the MOA task to predict simulated driving behaviour and hazard perception. Whilst also investigating its test–retest reliability and how it correlates to self-report driving measures. We found that superior performance in the MOA task predicted simulated driving performance in complex environments and was superior at predicting performance compared to the Useful Field of View task. We found a moderate test–retest reliability and a correlation between the attentional lapses subscale of the Driving Behaviour Questionnaire. Study 2 investigated the discriminative power of the MOA in sport by exploring performance differences in those that do and do not play sports. We also investigated if the MOA shared attentional elements with other measures of visual attention commonly attributed to sporting expertise: Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) and cognitive processing speed. We found that those that played sports exhibited superior MOA performance and found a positive relationship between MOA performance and Multiple Object Tracking performance and cognitive processing speed. Collectively, this research highlights the utility of the MOA when investigating visual attention in everyday contexts.

Are There Gender Differences in Executive Functions in Musicians and Non-Musicians?

Until now, better performance in executive functions (EF) in musicians compared to non-musicians has not been investigated in relation to possible gender differences. For that, it is the main goal of this study to investigate possible gender differences in executive functions. Sixty-three musicians and 64 non-musicians, 63 men and 64 women respectively, completed tests of (a) cognitive processing speed (ZVT), (b) working memory (2-Back Task), (c) inhibition (Flanker Task), and (d) cognitive flexibility (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, WCST). Results showed a significantly better performance for the target accuracy in the working memory task for musicians compared to non-musicians but not in the other tasks of executive functions. Furthermore, women demonstrated a better performance than men for the target accuracy in the 2-Back Task. However, only cognitive processing speed predicted working memory performance but not the group affiliation or gender. This study revealed that gender differences in executive functions are less likely to appear also in a trained sub-group.

Two Year Progression of Working Memory Impairments In Early Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Appraisal of Working Memory Profiles And Measurement Sensitivity

Working memory (WMem) impairments are a devastating symptom of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that manifest as distinct profiles depending upon the type of impairment. It is unknown what WMem impairment profiles occur in early MS and how best to diagnose and measure their progression.88 participants (63 early relapsing-remitting MS, 25 healthy controls) were reviewed annually for two years (baseline, +1 year, +2 years) and completed five WMem tasks: oculomotor (OM) n-back-visual spatial sketchpad; digit-span forwards-phonological loop; California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)-episodic buffer; digit-span backwards- central executive; symbol digit modalities test (SDMT)-cognitive processing speed. 65% of RRMS patients exhibited visual-spatial WMem impairments followed by 32% for episodic, 30% phonological loop, 24% central executive, 11% cognitive processing speed. These manifested alone (51%) or in combination (48%), with combined impairments the best marker of general WMem impairment. Significant progression in visual-spatial impairments was found for 24% of RRMS patients, with the OM n­-back maintaining sensitivity to general WMem impairment and progression. No other WMem subcomponent progressed or task maintained sensitivity. The results of this study provides crucial knowledge for the creation of interventions to treat WMem impairment in early RRMS, providing key targets for treatment and endpoints for determining efficacy.

Cognitive Function and Whole-Brain MRI Metrics Are Not Associated with Mobility in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

Due to advances in disease-modifying medications and earlier management of comorbidities, adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) are living longer, and this coincides with the aging of the general population. One major problem among older adults with and without MS is limited mobility, a consequence of aging that often negatively affects quality of life. Identifying factors that contribute to mobility disability is needed to develop targeted rehabilitation approaches. This study examined cognitive processing speed and global brain atrophy as factors that may contribute to mobility disability in older adults with and without MS. Older adults (≥55 years) with MS (n = 31) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 22) completed measures of mobility (Short Physical Performance Battery) and cognitive processing speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test) and underwent an MRI to obtain whole-brain metrics (gray matter volume, white matter volume, ventricular volume) as markers of atrophy. Mobility was significantly worse in the MS group than in the control group (p = 0.004). Spearman correlations indicated that neither cognitive processing speed (MS: rs = 0.26; Control: rs = 0.08) nor markers of global brain atrophy (MS: rs range = −0.30 to −0.06; Control: rs range = −0.40 to 0.16) were significantly associated with mobility in either group. Other factors such as subcortical gray matter structures, functional connectivity, exercise/physical activity, and cardiovascular fitness should be examined as factors that may influence mobility in aging adults with and without MS.

Employment status monitoring in an argentinian population of patients with multiple sclerosis: Particularities of a developing country

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological chronic disease that causes a number of physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms. The identification of these factors will allow mitigating unemployment and improve quality of life of patients. The Buffalo Vocational Monitoring Survey (BVMS) is a tool to characterize Work-Challenged patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze BVMS data in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) from Argentina. To study the association with physical, cognitive and psychiatric morbidity in employed patients, comparing the performance of MS Work-Challenged and MS Work-Stable patients, with and without accommodations. METHODS: 119 MS patients were administered the Argentina adaptation of the BVMS, and completed measures of physical disability, fatigue, depression, cognitive processing speed, memory and verbal fluency. RESULTS: 57.14%of the patients were employed and 19.32%were unemployed, the remaining having roles of housewife, students and disability retirees. Within the employed subgroup, 60.26 %were working as employees and 39.74 %were self-employed. Cognitive and clinical variables differentiate patients with and without negative events and accommodations (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This Spanish version BVMS is considered a new tool to monitor employment difficulties in Spanish-speaking MS patients. MS Work-Challenged had a higher depression, fatigue and worse performance in cognitive variables.

Individuals with dyslexia use a different visual sampling strategy to read text

Individuals with dyslexia present with reading-related deficits including inaccurate and/or less fluent word recognition and poor decoding abilities. Slow reading speed and worse text comprehension can occur as secondary consequences of these deficits. Reports of visual symptoms such as atypical eye movements during reading gave rise to a search for these deficits’ underlying mechanisms. This study sought to replicate established behavioral deficits in reading and cognitive processing speed while investigating their underlying mechanisms in more detail by developing a comprehensive profile of eye movements specific to reading in adult dyslexia. Using a validated standardized reading assessment, our findings confirm a reading speed deficit among adults with dyslexia. We observed different eye movements in readers with dyslexia across numerous eye movement metrics including the duration of a stop (i.e., fixation), the length of jumps (i.e., saccades), and the number of times a reader’s eyes expressed a jump atypical for reading. We conclude that individuals with dyslexia visually sample written information in a laborious and more effortful manner that is fundamentally different from those without dyslexia. Our findings suggest a mix of aberrant cognitive linguistic and oculomotor processes being present in adults with dyslexia.

Cognitive processing speed is high until age 60: Insights from Bayesian modeling in a one million sample (with a little help of deep learning)

Processing speed is a fundamental aspect of human cognition and intelligence. Many studies from the last decades report that processing speed, typically measured as mean reaction time in simple cognitive tasks, significantly slows down in old age and already declines in young and middle adulthood. Our study employs a Bayesian diffusion model approach to disentangle different cognitive components involved in simple decision-making. We apply our model to a large data set of more than one million participants, which allows us to provide fine-grained and robust analyses of age differences. Since standard Bayesian methods are not suitable to data sets of this size, we use a novel deep learning method for parameter estimation. Our results indicate that processing speed is stable from young adulthood until an age of about 60. The typical age-related slowdown in mean response times in this age range seems attributable to increases in decision caution and slower non-decisional processes – like encoding and motor response – but not to differences in cognitive processing speed. Our research has important implications for all fields concerned with age-related patterns in cognition and challenges widespread beliefs about the relationship between age and cognitive speed.