Paula McLaughlin York University Conflict of Interest Disclosure Paula McLaughlin, MA Has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report. 1

Paula McLaughlin York 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 McLaughlin York University Visual Search Visual search is a complex skill used everyday  Dependent on a variety of factors 3

Paula McLaughlin York University Visual Search Visual search is a complex skill used everyday  Dependent on a variety of factors 4 Tippett.org

Paula McLaughlin York University Visual Search Visual search is a complex skill used everyday  Dependent on a variety of factors 5

Paula McLaughlin York University Visual Search Visual search is a complex skill used everyday  Dependent on a variety of factors 6

Paula McLaughlin York 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) 7

Paula McLaughlin York 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) 8

Paula McLaughlin York 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) 9

Paula McLaughlin York 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 10

Paula McLaughlin York University Visual Search Paradigm Type of cue: 300 ms ms 200 ms ms ms 200 ms + Orienting Task Preparatory Task 11

Paula McLaughlin York 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 12

Paula McLaughlin York 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 Age* 72 (4.9) 76 (5.3) Sex (M:F)6:1010:6 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) 13

Paula McLaughlin York University Results: Task x Target x Array x Group 14 RT (ms)

Paula McLaughlin York University 15 Results: Task x Target x Array x Group RT (ms)

Paula McLaughlin York University 16 Results: Task x Target x Array x Group RT (ms)

Paula McLaughlin York University Results: Task x Cue x Array x Group OA MCI OA MCI Cue Benefit (noncued vs. cued) Orienting Task Preparatory Task 17

Paula McLaughlin York 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 aMCImd-aMCI* N 97 Age 77 (4.9) 75 (6.9) Sex (M:F)4:52:5 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) 18

Paula McLaughlin York University 19 Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype RT (ms)

Paula McLaughlin York University 20 Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype RT (ms)

Paula McLaughlin York University 21 Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype RT (ms)

Paula McLaughlin York University 22 Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype RT (ms)

Paula McLaughlin York University 23 Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype RT (ms)

Paula McLaughlin York University OA aMCI md-aMCI OA aMCI md-aMCI Cue Benefit (noncued – cued) Orienting Preparatory 24 Results: Task x Cue x Array x Subtype

Paula McLaughlin York University Conclusions Visual search abilities are attenuated in MCI  Decrements associated with multi-domain amnestic 25

Paula McLaughlin York 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 26

Paula McLaughlin York 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 27

Paula McLaughlin York 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 28

Paula McLaughlin York 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 29 Acknowledgments