Attention Network Test reveals alerting network dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Attention is one of the cognitive domains typically affected in multiple sclerosis. The Attention Network Test was developed to measure the function of the three distinct attentional networks, alerting, orienting, and executive control. The Attention Network Test has been performed in various neuropsychiatric conditions, but not in multiple sclerosis. Our objective was to investigate functions of attentional networks in multiple sclerosis by means of the Attention Network Test. Patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (n = 57) and healthy controls (n = 57) matched for age, sex, and education performed the Attention Network Test. Significant differences between patients and controls were detected in the alerting network (p = 0.003), in contrast to the orienting (p = 0.696) and the conflict (p = 0.114) network of visual attention. Mean reaction time in the Attention Network Test was significantly longer in multiple sclerosis patients than in controls (p = 0.032), Multiple sclerosis patients benefited less from alerting cues for conflict resolution compared with healthy controls. The Attention Network Test revealed specific alterations of the attention network in multiple sclerosis patients which were not explained by an overall cognitive slowing.

Revisiting attentional processing of non-emotional cues in social anxiety: A specific impairment for the orienting network of attention

“…Moreover, because earlier studies have clearly shown a reverse pattern of results (i.e. preserved orienting network with impaired alerting or executive ones) in other clinical populations (e.g., Heeren et al, 2014;Maurage et al, 2014;Urbanek et al, 2010), this impairment for the orienting network cannot be explained by a higher complexity of this network as compared to alerting and executive networks. Furthermore, our results are also consistent with earlier studies pointing out the relationship between negative affect and the ability to orient attention towards nonemotional material (e.g., Compton, 2000;Jongen et al, 2007).…”

Information Processing and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Indices of Brain Pathology in Multiple Sclerosis

“…Previous studies have found the ANT sensitive to attentional network abnormalities in both Alzheimer's disease 18 and MS. 19 In this latter study, relative deficiencies were found in MS patients' alerting network performance compared with healthy controls. Some differenc-target stimulus was an arrow that appeared either above or below the fixation cross.…”

“…Using the ANT, an earlier version of the ANT-I, Urbanek et al 19 also reported a deficit in response inhibition for MS patients that became significant only in the presence of an alerting cue. We did not see orienting or alerting network effects in our study but rather an inefficiency of the executive network that may represent a diminished capacity to cope with conflicting demands on attentional resources when in an alerted state.…”

Effects of Deep Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Serum Concentration in Healthy Volunteers

“…Furthermore, the reduction in serum BDNF is correlated with a decrease in reaction time in the alertness subtest, which could be interpreted as a direct positive effect on volunteers' attention. This finding suggests that deep high-frequency rTMS may be an effective treatment in pathological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, which are characterized by depressive mood, reduced alertness or fatigue [52,53,54,55,56,57]. To clarify the effects of high-frequency rTMS on mood and fatigability and their relationship to BDNF serum levels in a mid- or long-term setting, further clinical studies are required.…”