title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Urbanek
authors.forename: Nicholetta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Weinges-Evers
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bellmann-Strobl
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bock
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dörr
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Andres H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Neuhaus
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Opgen-Rhein
authors.forename: Thi Minh Tam
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ta
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Herges
authors.forename: Caspar F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Pfueller
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Radbruch
authors.forename: Klaus D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wernecke
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohlraun
authors.forename: Frauke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zipp
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dettling
authors.forename: Friedemann
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003463:Cues; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology