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Measuring Attention and Visual Processing Speed by Model-based Analysis of Temporal-order Judgments
Published on: January 23, 2017
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Information processing speed and attention in multiple sclerosis: Reconsidering the Attention Network Test (ANT)
Alexandra K Roth1, Douglas R Denney, Sharon G Lynch
1a Department of Psychology , University of Kansas , Lawrence , KS , USA.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|May 27, 2015
Summary
Processing speed deficits are more significant in multiple sclerosis (MS) than attention deficits. When processing speed is controlled, attention differences in MS are limited to the alerting network, particularly in secondary progressive MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- The Attention Network Test (ANT) measures attention by response time discrepancies.
- Traditional ANT analysis using simple difference scores inadequately controls for processing speed.
- This limitation distorts findings, especially when comparing patient and control groups with differing processing speeds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine attention networks in multiple sclerosis (MS) using various scoring methods.
- To assess the impact of processing speed control on ANT findings in MS.
- To differentiate attention network performance between relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Employed the Attention Network Test (ANT) on patients with relapsing-remitting MS (n=20), secondary progressive MS (n=20), and healthy controls (n=40).
- Utilized simple difference scores, proportional scores, and residualized scores to analyze ANT data.
- Statistical regression was used to control for information processing speed.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in processing speed were observed between MS patients and controls.
- Executive control network deficits were apparent only with simple difference scores.
- When processing speed was controlled, deficits emerged in the alerting network, primarily in secondary progressive MS patients.
Conclusions:
- Processing speed deficits are more pronounced in MS than attention deficits.
- Accounting for processing speed reveals that attention differences in MS are confined to the alerting network.
- Alerting network differences were smaller than overall processing speed deficits and specific to secondary progressive MS.
