title: Project DyAdd: visual attention in adult dyslexia and ADHD.
abstract: In this study of the project DyAdd, three aspects of visual attention were investigated in adults (18-55years) with dyslexia (n=35) or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, n=22), and in healthy controls (n=35). Temporal characteristics of visual attention were assessed with Attentional Blink (AB), capacity of visual attention with Multiple Object Tracking (MOT), and spatial aspects of visual attention with Useful Field of View (UFOV) task. Results showed that adults with dyslexia had difficulties performing the AB and UFOV tasks, which were explained by an impaired ability to process dual targets, longer AB recovery time, and deficits in processing rapidly changing visual displays. The ADHD group did not have difficulties in any of the tasks. Further, performance in the visual attention tasks predicted variation in measures of phonological processing and reading when all of the participants were considered together. Thus, difficulties in tasks of visual attention were related to dyslexia and variation of visual attention had a role in the reading ability of the general population.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Division of Cognitive and Neuropsychology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Marja.Laasonen@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laasonen
authors.forename: Jonna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salomaa
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cousineau
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leppämäki
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hokkanen
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D054518:Attentional Blink / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005364:Field Dependence-Independence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult