Attentional networks in developmental dyscalculia.
BACKGROUND
Very little is known about attention deficits in developmental dyscalculia, hence, this study was designed to provide the missing information. We examined attention abilities of participants suffering from developmental dyscalculia using the attention networks test - interactions. This test was designed to examine three different attention networks--executive function, orienting and alerting--and the interactions between them.


METHODS
Fourteen university students that were diagnosed as suffering from developmental dyscalculia--intelligence and reading abilities in the normal range and no indication of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder--and 14 matched controls were tested using the attention networks test-interactions. All participants were given preliminary tests to measure mathematical abilities, reading, attention and intelligence.


RESULTS
The results revealed deficits in the alerting network--a larger alerting effect--and in the executive function networks--a larger congruity effect in developmental dyscalculia participants. The interaction between the alerting and executive function networks was also modulated by group. In addition, developmental dyscalculia participants were slower to respond in the non-cued conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
These results imply specific attentional deficits in pure developmental dyscalculia. Namely, those with developmental dyscalculia seem to be deficient in the executive function and alertness networks. They suffer from difficulty in recruiting attention, in addition to the deficits in numerical processing.
Department of Psychology and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. ashkenas@bgu.ac.il
Sarit
S
Askenazi
Avishai
A
Henik
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult