Paula McLaughlinYork University

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Paula McLaughlin, MA

Has no real or apparent

conflicts of interest to report.

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Visual Search Performance in Amnestic MCI:

Do Auditory Cues Help Focus Attention?

P. McLaughlin, J. Rich, N. Anderson & S. Murtha

ADI March 29, 2011

Paula McLaughlinYork University

Visual Search

Visual search is a complex skill used everyday Dependent on a variety of factors

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Visual Search

Visual search is a complex skill used everyday Dependent on a variety of factors

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Tippett.org

Paula McLaughlinYork University

Visual Search

Visual search is a complex skill used everyday Dependent on a variety of factors

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Visual Search

Visual search is a complex skill used everyday Dependent on a variety of factors

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Visual Search

Visual search is a complex skill used everyday Dependent on a variety of factors

Visual search paradigms are commonly used Look for a target amongst a varying number and type of

distracting stimuli

(Treisman & Gelade, 1980; Wolfe, 1998)

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Visual Search, Aging & Alzheimer’s Disease

Visual search abilities decline with age Complex search conditions

Processing speed Executive control of attention

Visual search is impaired in Alzheimer’s disease Simple & complex search conditions

Process items & shift attention Executive control of attention

(e.g., Foster et al., 1995; 1999; McLaughlin & Murtha, 2010; Tales et al., 2004)

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

MCI & Visual Attention

Subtle deficiencies have been observed Focusing & disengaging attention Executive control of attention

Changes are task dependent

Limited research on visual search performance Processing information, shifting efficacy & executive

control(McLaughlin, Borrie & Murtha, 2010; Tales et al., 2005)

(Okonkwo et al., 2007; Levinoff et al., 2005; Perry & Hodges, 2003)

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Present Study

Investigate MCI-related changes in visual search abilities

Determine whether auditory cues can facilitate performance

Identify whether cueing effects are dependent on the type of auditory cue Informative spatial vs. non-informative preparatory

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Visual Search ParadigmType of cue:

300 ms

+

+

1000 ms

200 ms

+300 ms

+

+

1000 ms

200 ms

+

Orienting Task Preparatory Task

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Visual Search Paradigm

Single Feature Conjoined Feature

Two visual search conditions:

Target defined by salient feature (colour) “Pop-out” effect expected

Target is not salient (colour, orientation) Controlled, strategic search

Array size, target, cue availability was manipulated

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Group Demographics

* p < .05**Included 9 individuals with single-domain and 7 individuals with multiple-domain

Standard deviations in parentheses

Older Adults (OA) MCI**

N 16 16

Age* 72 (4.9) 76 (5.3)

Sex (M:F) 6:10 10:6

Education 15.1 (2.0) 14.9 (2.9)

MMSE* 29.1 (1.0) 27.4 (1.6)

Baseline RT 250 (96.6) 330 (145.4)

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Results: Task x Target x Array x Group

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RT

(ms)

Paula McLaughlinYork University15

Results: Task x Target x Array x GroupR

T (m

s)

Paula McLaughlinYork University16

Results: Task x Target x Array x GroupR

T (m

s)

Paula McLaughlinYork University

Results: Task x Cue x Array x Group

OA MCI OA MCI

Cue

Ben

efit

(non

cued

vs.

cue

d)

Orienting Task Preparatory Task

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Subtype of MCI: Demographics

* Non-memory impairments included language (n = 7), simple attention (n = 3), cognitive flexibility (n = 2)

No difference between groups in memory or general cognitive functioning

aMCI md-aMCI*

N 9 7

Age 77 (4.9) 75 (6.9)

Sex (M:F) 4:5 2:5

Education 13.8 (2.8) 16.4 (2.4)

MMSE 27.8 (1.4) 26.9 (1.8)

Baseline RT 345 (163.4) 311(128.5)

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Paula McLaughlinYork University19

Results: Task x Target x Array x SubtypeR

T (m

s)

Paula McLaughlinYork University20

Results: Task x Target x Array x SubtypeR

T (m

s)

Paula McLaughlinYork University21

Results: Task x Target x Array x SubtypeR

T (m

s)

Paula McLaughlinYork University22

Results: Task x Target x Array x SubtypeR

T (m

s)

Paula McLaughlinYork University23

Results: Task x Target x Array x SubtypeR

T (m

s)

Paula McLaughlinYork University

OA aMCI md-aMCI OA aMCI md-aMCI

Cue

Ben

efit

(non

cued

– c

ued)

Orienting Preparatory

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Results: Task x Cue x Array x Subtype

Paula McLaughlinYork University

Conclusions

Visual search abilities are attenuated in MCI Decrements associated with multi-domain amnestic

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Conclusions

Visual search abilities are attenuated in MCI Decrements associated with multi-domain amnestic

Auditory cues facilitate performance Larger cueing effects observed for the MCI group

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Conclusions

Visual search abilities are attenuated in MCI Decrements associated with multi-domain amnestic

Auditory cues facilitate performance Larger cueing effects observed for the MCI group

The type of cue is important Informative orienting cues are more beneficial than

simple non-informative preparatory cues

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Implications

Demonstrates the importance of assessing other cognitive functions outside of memory

Impact on daily activities, such as driving

The differential diagnosis between the subtypes of MCI may be important to consider

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Paula McLaughlinYork University

Co-authors- Susan Murtha, PhD (Supervisor)

- Jill Rich, PhD

- Nicole Anderson, PhD

Funding- Canadian Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Award

- Annie Kirshenblatt Memorial Scholarship

- York University, Faculty of Health Grant

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Acknowledgments