Selective Attention Deficits Research Articles

Selective attention function impairment in HIV-negative patients with early forms of neurosyphilis

BackgroundThe attentional network test (ANT) is widely used to evaluate the performance of three attentional networks: alerting, orienting and executive attention networks. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of attention functions in HIV-negative patients with early forms of neurosyphilis (NS) and their correlation with abnormalities in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsThirty patients with early forms of NS, 31 patients with syphilis but without NS (Non-NS) and 35 healthy controls were recruited from an HIV-negative cohort between September 2020 and November 2022. The participants were evaluated with the ANT and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Brain MRI was performed in NS and Non-NS patients.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in the MMSE scores among the three groups. However, patients with early forms of NS showed poorer performance in orienting and alerting functions than Non-NS group (F = 6.952, P = 0.011 and F = 8.794, P = 0.004, respectively); No significant difference was observed in executive function between the two groups (F = 0.001, P = 0.980). Multivariate analysis of variance using the Bonferroni post hoc test indicated that patients with NS exhibited less efficient orienting function (P = 0.023), and alerting function (P = 0.003) but not executive function (P = 0.99), compared to Non-NS patients. Additionally, a significant difference was found in orienting function between patients with NS and healthy controls (P < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. MRI scans revealed that the NS group had a higher prevalence of abnormalities in the frontal lobes and/or the temporoparietal junction compared to the Non-NS group (24/25 vs. 13/19, P = 0.032).ConclusionsThe orienting and alerting functions but not executive function were significantly less efficient in early forms of NS group than in the Non-NS group (P < 0.01). This indicates deficits in selective attention in patients with early forms of NS. Brain MRI scans revealed abnormalities in the frontal and/or parietal lobes, as well as the temporoparietal junction, suggesting potential neuropathological correlates of these attentional deficits.

The relationships of neuropsychological factors and loneliness preference in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cognitive disengagement syndrome

This study aimed to examine emotion dysregulation and internalizing disorders mediating the relationship between selective and sustained attention and loneliness preference in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS). This study included 176 children and adolescents between ages 8 and 12. The solitude scale for children, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Child Behavior Checklist, Barkley Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale, and CNS Vital Signs test were used. The results suggest that difficulties in emotion regulation and having an internalizing disorder had a mediating effect between difficulties in selective attention and preference for the loneliness of children with ADHD + CDS. Also, it was likely that the association between sustained attention and preference for loneliness is mediated by internalizing disorders. The results suggest that the social problems commonly exhibited by children with ADHD + CDS may be related to deficits in sustained and selective attention.

Curriculum in Neuro-Ophthalmic Principles for National Football League Game Officials: Comparison of Pretraining and Posttraining Ratings of Knowledge.

We hypothesize that creation of a structured curriculum in neuro-ophthalmology principles might improve self-rated learner satisfaction and knowledge base of National Football League (NFL) game officials. Our initial objective is to create the said curriculum in coordination with game official experts and staff at the NFL to increase levels of understanding of neuro-ophthalmology principles. We reviewed the prior published literature on applicable neuro-ophthalmic principles in professional sports. Major neuro-ophthalmic principles reviewed include both the efferent (e.g., saccadic and pursuit eye movements and vestibulo-ocular reflex) and afferent (visual field, dynamic visual acuity during body movement, and selective attention deficits). A 6-question survey pertaining to levels of understanding, future applicability, relevance, satisfaction, and interest in additional training was then given to 26 individuals before and after a lecture given by Dr. Andrew Lee in Plano, TX. The primary outcome measure was the creation of the curriculum followed by real-world testing for face and content validity and ending with a self-rated assessment. Twenty-one individuals completed the prelecture and postlecture survey out of 26 individuals who attended. Prelecture means for the level of understanding of oculomotor terms and the likelihood of using said terms were 3.4 and 3.2, respectively. Postlecture means were 8.9 and 8.8, respectively. The lecture was rated 9.2 of 10 for relevance to coaching and teaching officials, and individuals rated their interest in further content as 9.4 of 10. This study found that NFL game officials are interested in learning more about the science behind play-calling in terms of neuro-ophthalmology principles and practices. In addition, from our pilot survey, it is evident that even one lecture can improve participants' level of understanding and likelihood of learning more about neuro-ophthalmic principles.

The Single-Matrix Digit Cancellation Test, a Screener for Selective Attention Deficits: Standardization in an Italian Population Sample and Clinical Usability in Acute Stroke Patients

Introduction: This study aimed at validating and providing Italian norms for the Single-Matrix Digit Cancellation Test (SMDCT), a cancellation task to screen for selective attention deficits, as well as providing clinical usability evidence for it in acute stroke patients. Methods: The SMDCT stimulus is a specular, 4-quadrant, horizontally oriented matrix, across which target distribution is homogeneous. Both accuracy (-A) and time (-T) outcomes were computed. N = 263 healthy participants (HPs) and N = 76 acute stroke patients were recruited. N = 108 HPs also underwent the Mini-Mental State Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Trail-Making Test (TMT), while patients were further assessed by the Mental Performance in Acute Stroke (MEPS). Regression-based norms were derived (equivalent scores). Construct and factorial validity, as well as case-control discrimination, were tested. Results: The matrix was underpinned by a two-component structure reflecting left and right hits. The SMDCT-T and -A were associated with TMT and FAB scores, respectively. Education predicted the SMDCT-A/-T, whereas age predicted the SMDCT-T only. In patients, the SMDCT converged with the MEPS, also accurately discriminating them from HPs. An index of right-left difference differentiated right- from left-damaged patients. Conclusions: The SMDCT is a valid and normed screener for selective attention deficits, encompassing measures of both accuracy and time, whose adoption is encouraged in acute stroke patients. Relatedly, the horizontal disposition of its matrix does allow for the qualitative report of either leftward of rightward biases due to underlying visual or attentional-representational deficits in this population.

Functional connectivity and gray matter deficits within the auditory attention circuit in first-episode psychosis.

Selective attention deficits in first episode of psychosis (FEP) can be indexed by impaired attentional modulation of auditory M100. It is unknown if the pathophysiology underlying this deficit is restricted to auditory cortex or involves a distributed attention network. We examined the auditory attention network in FEP. MEG was recorded from 27 FEP and 31 matched healthy controls (HC) while alternately ignoring or attending tones. A whole-brain analysis of MEG source activity during auditory M100 identified non-auditory areas with increased activity. Time-frequency activity and phase-amplitude coupling were examined in auditory cortex to identify the attentional executive carrier frequency. Attention networks were defined by phase-locking at the carrier frequency. Spectral and gray matter deficits in the identified circuits were examined in FEP. Attention-related activity was identified in prefrontal and parietal regions, markedly in precuneus. Theta power and phase coupling to gamma amplitude increased with attention in left primary auditory cortex. Two unilateral attention networks were identified with precuneus seeds in HC. Network synchrony was impaired in FEP. Gray matter thickness was reduced within the left hemisphere network in FEP but did not correlate with synchrony. Several extra-auditory attention areas with attention-related activity were identified. Theta was the carrier frequency for attentional modulation in auditory cortex. Left and right hemisphere attention networks were identified, with bilateral functional deficits and left hemisphere structural deficits, though FEP showed intact auditory cortex theta phase-gamma amplitude coupling. These novel findings indicate attention-related circuitopathy early in psychosis potentially amenable to future non-invasive interventions.

P01.14.B Visuospatial selective attention deficit after resection of right hemisphere gliomas: a multivariate lesion symptom mapping and diffusion tractography study

Abstract Background The ability to select relevant information to current behavioural goals despite concomitant distractors (i.e. selective attention) is crucial for daily life. Despite the implication of fronto-parietal network in sustaining visuospatial selective attention has been considered crucial, the role of subcortical structures is still unclear. Aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of neurosurgical removal of right gliomas on visuospatial selective attention performances. Material and Methods The visuospatial selective attention domain was assessed pre- and postoperatively (1 month follow-up) in 73 patients operated for right hemisphere gliomas. Support-vector-regression lesion-symptom mapping and disconnectome analysis (Lesion Quantification Toolkit, HCP 1065 data) were used to evaluate the relationship between the resection cavities and the postoperative performance on a standardized selective attention test. To test and refine the atlas-based results, in a subset of 17 patients with preoperative diffusion tractography, the postoperative outcome was correlated with the percentage of disconnection for different white matter tracts. Results Results showed that resection of a cluster enclosing the SMA-complex and the surrounding white matter was significantly associated with a decline in visuospatial selective attention performances (p&amp;lt;.05). Disconnectome analysis at population level revealed that the deficit was significantly correlated with the resection of superior cortico-striatal fibres, superior thalamic radiations, corticopontine projections, callosal connections and fibres of the frontal aslant tract. Within all the cortico-subcortical terminations of these tracts, disconnection of streamlines of the SMA-complex was the most associated with selective attention deficits. Tractography in single patients confirmed the population level results and suggested that ventro-lateral resections in case of inferior frontal or insular tumours significantly disconnecting the frontal aslant tract but sparing superior projection fibres were not associated with any postoperative disturbances. Conclusion Results show converging evidence to support a critical role for the SMA/preSMA and its projections in maintaining efficiency of attentive control. The present results reveal the importance of a fronto-medial descending connectivity in mediating the voluntary control of visuospatial selective attention. From a surgical standpoint, to avoid postoperative deficits, it seems crucial to preserve SMA projection pathways, while the disconnection of the frontal aslant tract is feasible without any postoperative decline.

P524. Executive Auditory Attention Network Impairments in First-Episode Psychosis

Selective attention deficits emerge by the first episode of psychosis (FEP), reflected in impaired modulation of EEG N100 and MEG M100 by attention. Attentional enhancement is related to local oscillatory phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) between incoming low-frequency phase and local high-frequency power. The incoming oscillation reflects long-range connectivity within an executive attention network. We investigated PAC and long-range spectral connectivity in healthy controls (HC) and FEP.

Investigation of the Relation Between Tinnitus, Cognition, and the Amount of Listening Effort.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of chronic tinnitus on measures of listening effort and cognitive performance, as well as the relation between cognitive performance and the amount of listening effort obtained by those measures. Thirteen normal-hearing young adults with chronic tinnitus were matched with a control group. First, behavioral listening effort was measured using a dual-task paradigm in various favorable and unfavorable listening conditions. Furthermore, verbal working memory, processing speed, selective attention, and cognitive flexibility and inhibition were evaluated. A significant and nonsignificant trend toward more listening effort in the tinnitus group was, respectively, found for the quiet listening condition and the condition with a signal-to-noise ratio of +2 dB. No significant differences in cognitive performances were found between the groups, nor were there significant relationships between the cognitive factors and listening effort scores for either the control or tinnitus group. Listening effort was increased in the tinnitus group. Although no clear differences in cognitive performance could be found between the tinnitus group and their controls, a trend could be seen whereby selective attention deficits in the subjects with tinnitus may be an important factor that affects the amount of listening effort.

Abnormal Reactivity of Brain Oscillations to Visual Search Target in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that impaired goal-directed alpha lateralization and functional disconnection within attention networks during the cue period are significant features of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to explore the role of brain oscillations in the visual search process, focusing on target-induced posterior alpha lateralization, midfrontal theta synchronization, and their functional connection in children with ADHD. MethodsElectroencephalograms were recorded from typically developing (TD) children (n = 72) and children with ADHD (n = 96) while they performed a visual search task. ResultsBoth the TD and ADHD groups showed significant midfrontal theta event-related synchronization (ERS) and posterior alpha lateralization. Compared with TD children, children with ADHD showed significantly lower theta ERS and higher target-induced alpha lateralization. TD children showed a positive trial-based correlation between theta ERS and alpha lateralization and a negative correlation between theta ERS and reaction time variability. However, all these correlations were absent in children with ADHD. ConclusionsAbnormal brain oscillations in children with ADHD indicate insufficient executive control function and the compensation of attention networks for attention deficits in visual selective attention. Cross-frequency disconnection reflects the common deficiency of executive control in the gating of target information. Our findings provide novel evidence for interpreting the features of brain oscillations during stimulus-driven selective attention in children with ADHD.

Right fronto-parietal networks mediate the neurocognitive benefits of enriched environments.

Exposure to enriched environments throughout a lifetime, providing so-called reserve, protects against cognitive decline in later years. It has been hypothesized that high levels of alertness necessitated by enriched environments might strengthen the right fronto-parietal networks to facilitate this neurocognitive resilience. We have previously shown that enriched environments offset age-related deficits in selective attention by preserving grey matter within right fronto-parietal regions. Here, using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, we examined the relationship between enriched environments, microstructural properties of fronto-parietal white matter association pathways (three branches of the superior longitudinal fasciculus), structural brain health (atrophy), and attention (alertness, orienting and executive control) in a group of older adults. We show that exposure to enriched environments is associated with a lower orientation dispersion index within the right superior longitudinal fasciculus 1 which in turn mediates the relationship between enriched environments and alertness, as well as grey and white matter atrophy. This suggests that enriched environments may induce white matter plasticity (and prevent age-related dispersion of axons) within the right fronto-parietal networks to facilitate the preservation of neurocognitive health in later years.

Disrupted Resting State Attentional Network Connectivity in Adolescent and Young Adult Cannabis Users following Two-Weeks of Monitored Abstinence.

Background. Numerous neuropsychological studies have shown that cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood led to deficits in sustained and selective attention. However, few studies have examined functional connectivity in attentional networks among young cannabis users, nor have characterized relationships with cannabis use patterns following abstinence. Methods. Differences in resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) within the dorsal (DAN) and ventral (VAN) attention networks were examined in 36 adolescent and young adult cannabis users and 39 non-substance using controls following two weeks of monitored abstinence. Observed connectivity differences were then correlated with past-year and lifetime cannabis use, length of abstinence, age of regular use onset, and Cannabis Use Disorder symptoms (CUD). Results. After controlling for alcohol and nicotine use, cannabis users had lower RSFC within the DAN network, specifically between right inferior parietal sulcus and right anterior insula, as well as white matter, relative to controls. This region was associated with more severe cannabis use measures, including increased lifetime cannabis use, shorter length of abstinence, and more severe CUD symptoms. Conclusions. Findings demonstrate that regular cannabis use by adolescents and young adults is associated with subtle differences in resting state connectivity within the DAN, even after two weeks of monitored abstinence. Notably, more severe cannabis use markers (greater lifetime use, CUD symptoms, and shorter abstinence) were linked with this reduced connectivity. Thus, findings support public policy aimed at reducing and delaying cannabis use and treatments to assist with sustained abstinence. Future longitudinal studies are needed to investigate causation.

Lack of neural load modulation explains attention and working memory deficits in first-episode schizophrenia

ObjectiveAlthough working memory (WM) deficits are well-recognized core features of schizophrenia, the underlying pathophysiological substrates of impairment in early psychosis before medication remain unclear. One possibility is that deficits in selective attention contribute to WM impairment. MethodsEEG was acquired from 25 first-episode drug-naive schizophrenia patients and 26 matched controls while they performed a WM task. ResultsCompared with controls, schizophrenia patients showed a deficit in WM capacity in both behavioral and electrophysiological measures. Notably, the increased parieto-occipital pre-encoding stimulus alpha power in patients with schizophrenia predicted their subsequent reduced N2pc and symptom severity, whereas this relationship was absent in controls. Moreover, lacking load effect in neural activities predicted the serious impairment in behavior for schizophrenia. ConclusionsThis pilot study provides preliminary evidence that the lack of load effect in neural activities may serve as potential underlying mechanisms for the impaired selective attention and WM capacity in schizophrenia. Our results emphasize the importance of pre-encoding stimulus alpha power in first-episode drug-naive schizophrenia. SignificanceThese findings provide a neurophysiological correlate for the subjective reports of working memory deficits in schizophrenia and indicate the potential effective targets for clinical intervention.

Simultaneous Damage of the Cingulate Cortex Zone II and Fronto-Striatal Circuit Causes Prolonged Selective Attentional Deficits.

Selective attention is essential for successful cognitive performance. Although several brain areas are known to be involved in selective attention, damage to some of these areas does not necessarily cause attentional deficits. In the current study, we hypothesized that damage to specific parts of the right cerebral hemisphere, especially the cingulate cortex (CC), causes prolonged selective attentional deficits, and examined the influence of focal brain damage on selective attention. We recruited 36 patients with right cerebral hemispheric WHO grade 2 and 3 brain tumors who underwent surgery. We assessed selective attention over time from pre-operation to 3 months postoperatively using the cancelation test and color Stroop test, and calculated the percentage of deficit. Additionally, two types of imaging analyses were performed: voxel-based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM) and multiple logistic regression analysis, to reveal related brain regions for selective attention. Consequently, we found that the CC and deep part of the middle frontal gyrus were associated with deficits in selective attention via VLSM. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the CC zone II at the cortical level (p < 0.0001) and the fronto-striatal tract (FST) at the subcortical level (p = 0.0079) were associated with attentional deficit among several regions identified in the VLSM. At 3 months postoperatively, selective attention was impaired in patients who underwent resection of these regions. Moreover, only patients with simultaneous damage of the CC zone II and FST had prolonged attentional deficits until the chronic phase. Our results suggest that the right CC zone II and FST are critical areas for the selective attentional networks.

Aberrant Learned Irrelevance in Patients with First-Episode Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorder

Emerging evidence has indicated disrupted learned irrelevance (LIrr), a form of selective attention deficit that may contribute to psychotic symptom formation, in schizophrenia. However, previous research mostly focused on chronic patients. There is a paucity of studies on LIrr in first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (i.e., schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder; FES), which were limited by small sample size and have produced mixed results. The current study examined a LIrr effect and its relationship with positive symptom severity in 40 briefly-medicated FES patients and 42 demographically-matched healthy controls using a well-validated computerized LIrr paradigm which has been applied in chronic schizophrenia sample. Positive symptoms were assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). Our results showed that controls demonstrated intact LIrr, with significantly faster learning about previously predictive (relevant) than previously non-predictive (irrelevant) cues. Lack of such normal attention bias towards predictive over non-predictive cues was observed in FES patients, indicating their failure to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant stimuli. Nonetheless, we failed to reveal any significant correlations between learning scores, in particular learning scores for non-predictive cues, and positive symptom measures in FES patients. Learning scores were also not associated with other symptom dimensions, cognitive functions and antipsychotic dose. In conclusion, our findings indicate aberrant LIrr with impaired allocation of attention to relevant versus irrelevant stimuli in briefly-medicated FES patients. Further prospective research is warranted to clarify the longitudinal trajectory of such selective attention deficit and its association with positive symptoms and treatment response in the early course of illness.

Fronto-parietal network function during cued visual search in the first-episode schizophrenia spectrum

Cognitive impairments account for significant morbidity in schizophrenia and are present at disease onset. Controlled processes are particularly susceptible and may contribute to pervasive selective attention deficits. The present study assessed fronto-parietal attention network (FPAN) functioning during cue presentation on a visual search task in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum patients (FE) and its relation to symptom burden and community functioning. Brain activity was recorded with magnetoencephalography from 38 FE and 38 healthy controls (HC) during blocks of pop-out and serial search target detection. Activity during cue presentation was compared between groups across bilateral FPAN regions (frontal eye fields (FEF), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), midcingulate cortex (MCC), and intraparietal sulcus (IPS)). FE exhibited greater right hemisphere IFG activity despite worse performance relative to HC. Performance and FPAN activity were not correlated in HC. Among FE, however, stronger activity within right hemisphere FEF and IFG was associated with faster responses. Stronger right IPS and left IFG activity in patients was also associated with reduced negative symptoms and improved community functioning, respectively. Increased reliance on the FPAN for task completion suggests an inefficient cognitive control network and might reflect a compensation for impaired attentional deployment during target detection, a strategy employed by those with less severe illness. These findings represent a critical step towards identifying the neural substrates of negative symptoms and impaired neurocognition at disease onset.

Examining the Role of Attention Deficits in the Social Problems and Withdrawn Behavior of Children With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms.

Previous studies have found that sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms are often associated with social problems and withdrawn behavior. However, the possible neuropsychological mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. Some studies have also found that SCT symptoms are related to deficits in sustained attention and selective attention. However, no study has examined whether attention deficits are related to social problems and withdrawn behavior in children with SCT. This study was the first to examine the neuropsychological correlates of social problems and withdrawn behavior among children with SCT symptoms. The results showed that sustained attention measure (omission) predicted the severity of social problems and withdrawn behavior in children with SCT even after controlling for symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Selective attention measure (response latency mean) was also found to predict the severity of social problems. These results suggest that the social problems commonly exhibited by children with SCT are related to deficits in sustained attention and attentional control. Thus, our results provide an initial support to the link between attention deficits and social problems among children with SCT.

Fronto-Parietal Network Function During Cued Visual Search in First-Episode Psychosis

Cognitive impairments account for significant morbidity in schizophrenia and are present prior to disease onset. Controlled cognitive processes are particularly susceptible and may contribute to well-established selective attention deficits. The present study assessed functioning of the fronto-parietal attention network (FPAN) in schizophrenia spectrum patients at disease onset (FE).

Functional Connectivity in Developmental Dyslexia during Speed Discrimination

A universal signature of developmental dyslexia is literacy acquisition impairments. Besides, dyslexia may be related to deficits in selective spatial attention, in the sensitivity to global visual motion, speed processing, oculomotor coordination, and integration of auditory and visual information. Whether motion-sensitive brain areas of children with dyslexia can recognize different speeds of expanded optic flow and segregate the slow-speed from high-speed contrast of motion was a main question of the study. A combined event-related EEG experiment with optic flow visual stimulation and functional frequency-based graph approach (small-world propensity ϕ) were applied to research the responsiveness of areas, which are sensitive to motion, and also distinguish slow/fast -motion conditions on three groups of children: controls, untrained (pre-D) and trained dyslexics (post-D) with visual intervention programs. Lower ϕ at θ, α, γ1-frequencies (low-speed contrast) for controls than other groups represent that the networks rewire, expressed at β frequencies (both speed contrasts) in the post-D, whose network was most segregated. Functional connectivity nodes have not existed in pre-D at dorsal medial temporal area MT+/V5 (middle, superior temporal gyri), left-hemispheric middle occipital gyrus/visual V2, ventral occipitotemporal (fusiform gyrus/visual V4), ventral intraparietal (supramarginal, angular gyri), derived from θ-frequency network for both conditions. After visual training, compensatory mechanisms appeared to implicate/regain these brain areas in the left hemisphere through plasticity across extended brain networks. Specifically, for high-speed contrast, the nodes were observed in pre-D (θ-frequency) and post-D (β2-frequency) relative to controls in hyperactivity of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which might account for the attentional network and oculomotor control impairments in developmental dyslexia.

Mild Cognitive Impairment in de novo Parkinson's Disease: Selective Attention Deficit as Early Sign of Neurocognitive Decay.

Background: In the present study, we aimed to better investigate attention system profile of Parkinson's disease-Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI) patients and to determine if specific attentional deficits are associated with 123I-FP-CIT SPECT.Methods: A total of 44 de novo drug-naïve PD patients [(27) with normal cognition (PD-NC) and 17 with MCI (PD-MCI)], 23 MCI patients and 23 individuals with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) were recruited at the Clinical Neurology Unit of Santa Chiara hospital (Pisa University Medical School, Italy). They were assessed by a wide neuropsychological battery, including Visual Search Test (VST) measuring selective attention. Performances among groups were compared by non-parametric tests (i.e., Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney, Bonferroni corrected). Further, Spearman's rank correlations were performed to explore the association between neuropsychological variables and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT data in PD subgroup.Results: PD-MCI patients performed worse on VST than patients with PD-NC (p = 0.002), patients with MCI and individuals with SCI (p < 0.001). The performance of PD-MCI patients on VST significantly correlated with caudate nucleus 123I-FP-CIT SPECT uptake (rho = 0.582, p < 0.05), whereas a negative correlation between such test and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT uptake in the left putamen (rho = −0.529, p < 0.05) was found in PD-NC patients.Conclusions: We suggest that selective attention deficit might be a trigger of cognitive decay in de novo PD-MCI patients. The VST should be routinely used to detect attentional deficits in hospital clinical practice, in the light of its closely association with dopamine depletion of basal ganglia in mildly impaired PD patients.

The Deficit of Early Selective Attention in Adults With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: In Comparison With Those With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a cluster of attentional symptoms characterized by slow information processing and behavior, distractibility, mental confusion, absent-mindedness, and hypoactivity. The present study aimed to compare early and late selective attention in the information processing speed of adults with SCT to those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adults without any attentional problems. The participants were screened using Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV and divided into the following groups: SCT (N = 24), ADHD (N = 24), and controls (N = 25). All participants completed the irrelevant distractor task measuring early and late selective attention under load condition (low vs. high) and distractor condition (no-distractor vs. distractor). The inefficiency index was calculated by subtracting the reaction time of no-distractor condition of correct trials from the reaction time of distractor condition to control the impact of accuracy. Upon analysis, the SCT group showed a lower efficiency compared to the ADHD group under high load, while the ADHD group showed lower efficiency under low load than high load. This meant that the ADHD group had increased efficiency of selective attention with higher load, while the SCT group had low efficiency of selective attention even under high loads. These results suggest that the symptoms of “slow” or “distracted” in SCT could be attributed to the reduced speed and efficiency of selective attention in early information processing and the problem can be pronounced in situations with distractors. The results of the study imply that the attention-deficit-like symptoms shown in those with SCT and ADHD can be distinguished in specific stage of information processing.