Journal article

Attention, inhibition, and proximity to clinical onset in preclinical mutation carriers for Huntington's disease

Maree Farrow, Andrew Churchyard, Phyllis Chua, John L Bradshaw, Edmond Chiu, Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY | TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC | Published : 2007

Abstract

Research in preclinical mutation carriers for Huntington's disease (HD) aims to find measures sensitive to preclinical decline. This study investigated attentional abilities in mutation carriers and noncarriers. Mutation carriers demonstrated a normal "attentional blink" during rapid serial visual presentation, normal covert visual orienting, and normal directing of attention to tactile stimuli. However, they were more likely than noncarriers to make anticipatory responses before target presentation. Additionally, those closer to estimated onset of HD demonstrated larger "inhibition of return" effects. The findings suggest potential changes in cognitive inhibition of unwanted responses, and ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers