Attention Control in Autism and Schizophrenia
Independent lines of evidence in autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorder (ASD and SSD, respectively) and the broader spectrum of their traits in neurotypical participants point to attentional atypicalities, especially when distracting information needs to be inhibited. However, previous reports have been mixed in the direction of these effects, highlighting scenarios of both beneficial and detrimental outcomes in these syndromes. In this project we attempt to delineate the specific effect ASD and SSD have on attention control and distractor suppression. We use behavioural studies with large cohorts as well as brain imaging and brain stimulation. Our current findings support a diametrical model of ASD and SSD where each trait pushes the individual in different ‘attentional direction’. In identifying the brain mechanisms that are diametrically modulated, we hope to highlight a possible intervention pathway towards re-balancing these brain mechanisms in ASD and SSD. Colaborators: Ahmad Abu-Akel, Mayra Muller Spaniol, Lilach Shalev |
Proactive and reactive distractor suppression in aging
Healthy aging has been typically associated with reduced cognitive control – specifically with respect to the ability to resolve competition from distractors by effectively suppressing them. However, the notion that an all-encompassing inhibition impairment is associated with age has been challenged by studies showing impairments only on subsets of inhibition tasks. Furthermore, even when inhibition impairments occur across tasks, evidence suggests they may be independent. One possibility, here is that different types of distractor inhibition are called upon in different scenarios and it is these processes that are differentially affected in old age. To test this, in the present project we use behavioural as well as brain imaging methodologies with young and old healthy adults. We also test the link between these attention control processes in old age and motor performance in this population. Finally, we attempt to assess the features involved in successful aging. That is, what can we learn about the cognitive neuroscience profile of older adult who do not show inhibition impairment? Colaborators: Joe Galea, Steve Mayhew, Joy G Geng, Brandon Ashinoff |
School-based attention intervention in Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or autism is a heterogeneous disorder with complex aetiology. One aspect that appears less targeted in ASD, however, is attention capacity. Atypical attentional processes are quite prevalent in individuals with autism from early infancy. In fact, recent studies have suggested that about half of the ASD population may also meet diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficits Hyperactivity Disorder. Academic attainment may vary considerably across children on the autism spectrum but overall, poor performance in a range of academic tests such as maths, reading and writing is well documented in ASD. Improving attention skills can be achieved using dedicated computerised intervention programs. A specific successful attention intervention program is the Computerised Progressive Attention Training (CPAT; Shalev et al., 2007), which was first developed to train attention in children with ADHD. The main objective of the current project is to test the efficacy and potential feasibility of attention training/intervention for children with ASD. We are specificaly interested in the potential beneficial effect of such training on school-based academic performance and school-based engagement more broadly. The project also involves active involvement of teachers and practitioners to test not only the possible benefit in academic performance but also the possibility to embed these methodologies within school curricula. Colaborators: Lila Kossyvaki, Lilach Shalev, Mayra Muller Spaniol, Cristiane Silvestre de Paula |
Brain mechanisms of Task-Irrelevant Information Monitoring (TIIM)
Traditional schools of thought propose that in order to successfully interact with the environment and to achieve our behavioural goals, we rely on an attention selection mechanism, the singular objective of which is to prioritise information that is currently relevant and avoid processing of irrelevant (distracting) information. Consequently, evidence that we sometimes process information irrelevant to the task set by experimenters is attributed to a failure of the selection system. In the present project we propose a different framework of attention selection – one in which active selection of task-irrelevant information is hard-wired. We argue that such a system is dictated by both evolution and life experience. While survival during laboratory experiments is not dependent on such a system, outside the lab processing of task-irrelevant information may be paramount. The present research therefore aims to test this theory of active task-irrelevant monitoring by assessing the degree to which attention resources are allocated to non-target elements in the display and by assessing the contribution of different brain mechanisms to both task-relevant and task-irrelevant processing. The results of this project may have far reaching implications from understanding attention atypicalities (such as in ADHD, Autism, Schizophrenia or normal aging) to designing of artificial intelligence systems. Colaborators: Yehoshua Tsal |