Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Paula McLaughlin, MA
Has no real or apparent
conflicts of interest to report.
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
ADI
March 29, 2011
Visual Search Performance in
Amnestic MCI:
Do Auditory Cues Help Focus
Attention?
P. McLaughlin, J. Rich, N. Anderson & S. Murtha
Paula McLaughlin
York University
Visual Search
Visual search is a complex skill used everyday

3
Dependent on a variety of factors
Paula McLaughlin
York University
Visual Search
Visual search is a complex skill used everyday

Dependent on a variety of factors
Tippett.org
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
Visual Search
Visual search is a complex skill used everyday

5
Dependent on a variety of factors
Paula McLaughlin
York University
Visual Search
Visual search is a complex skill used everyday

6
Dependent on a variety of factors
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)
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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)
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
MCI & Visual Attention
Subtle deficiencies have been observed

Focusing & disengaging attention

Executive control of attention
Changes are task dependent
(Okonkwo et al., 2007; Levinoff et al., 2005; Perry & Hodges, 2003)
Limited research on visual search performance

Processing information, shifting efficacy & executive
control
(McLaughlin, Borrie & Murtha, 2010; Tales et al., 2005)
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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

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Informative spatial vs. non-informative preparatory
Paula McLaughlin
York University
Visual Search Paradigm
Type of cue:
Orienting Task
Preparatory Task
1000 ms
1000 ms
+
+
200 ms
+
+
+
11
200 ms
300 ms
+
300 ms
Paula McLaughlin
York University
Visual Search Paradigm
Two visual search conditions:
Single Feature
Target defined by salient
feature (colour)


“Pop-out” effect expected
Conjoined Feature
Target is not salient (colour,
orientation)


Controlled, strategic search
Array size, target, cue availability was manipulated
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
Group Demographics
Older Adults (OA)
MCI**
16
16
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)
N
Age*
* p < .05
**Included 9 individuals with single-domain and 7 individuals with multiple-domain
Standard deviations in parentheses
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
RT (ms)
Results: Task x Target x Array x Group
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
RT (ms)
Results: Task x Target x Array x Group
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
RT (ms)
Results: Task x Target x Array x Group
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
Results: Task x Cue x Array x Group
Preparatory Task
Cue Benefit (noncued vs. cued)
Orienting Task
OA
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MCI
OA
MCI
Paula McLaughlin
York University
Subtype of MCI: Demographics
aMCI
md-aMCI*
9
7
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)
N
Age
* 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
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
RT (ms)
Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
RT (ms)
Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
RT (ms)
Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
RT (ms)
Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
RT (ms)
Results: Task x Target x Array x Subtype
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
Results: Task x Cue x Array x Subtype
Preparatory
Cue Benefit (noncued – cued)
Orienting
OA
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aMCI
md-aMCI
OA
aMCI
md-aMCI
Paula McLaughlin
York University
Conclusions
Visual search abilities are attenuated in MCI

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Decrements associated with multi-domain amnestic
Paula McLaughlin
York University
Conclusions
Visual search abilities are attenuated in MCI

Decrements associated with multi-domain amnestic
Auditory cues facilitate performance

26
Larger cueing effects observed for the MCI group
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

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Informative orienting cues are more beneficial than
simple non-informative preparatory cues
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
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Paula McLaughlin
York University
Acknowledgments
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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Paula McLaughlin
York University