The role of attention in eye-movement awareness

People are unable to accurately report on their own eye movements most of the time. Can this be explained as a lack of attention to the objects we fixate? Here, we elicited eye-movement errors using the classic oculomotor capture paradigm, in which people tend to look at sudden onsets even when they are irrelevant. In the first experiment, participants were able to report their own errors on about a quarter of the trials on which they occurred. The aim of the second experiment was to assess what differentiates errors that are detected from those that are not. Specifically, we estimated the relative influence of two possible factors: how long the onset distractor was fixated (dwell time), and a measure of how much attention was allocated to the onset distractor. Longer dwell times were associated with awareness of the error, but the measure of attention was not. The effect of the distractor identity on target discrimination reaction time was similar whether or not the participant was aware they had fixated the distractor. The results suggest that both attentional and oculomotor capture can occur in the absence of awareness, and have important implications for our understanding of the relationship between attention, eye movements, and awareness

5-benzamidoisoquinolin-1-ones and 5-(ω-carboxyalkyl)isoquinolin-1-ones as isoform-selective inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 2 (PARP-2)

PARP-2 is a member of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase family, with some activities similar to those of PARP-1 but with other distinct roles. Two series of isoquinolin-1-ones were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as selective inhibitors of PARP-2, using the structures of the catalytic sites of the isoforms. A new efficient synthesis of 5-aminoisoquinolin-1-one was developed, and acylation with acyl chlorides gave 5-acylaminoisoquinolin-1-ones. By examination of isoquinolin-1-ones with carboxylates tethered to the 5-position, Heck coupling of 5-iodoisoquinolin-1-one furnished the 5-CH═CHCO2H compound for reduction to the 5-propanoic acid. Alkylation of 5-aminoisoquinolin-1-one under mildly basic conditions, followed by hydrolysis, gave 5-(carboxymethylamino)isoquinolin-1-one, whereas it was alkylated at 2-N with methyl propenoate and strong base. Compounds were assayed in vitro for inhibition of PARP-1 and PARP-2, using FlashPlate and solution-phase assays, respectively. The 5-benzamidoisoquinolin-1-ones were more selective for inhibition of PARP-2, whereas the 5-(ω-carboxyalkyl)isoquinolin-1-ones were less so. 5-Benzamidoisoquinolin-1-one is the most PARP-2-selective compound (IC50(PARP-1)/IC50(PARP-2) = 9.3) to date, in a comparative study

Shared attention for action selection and action monitoring in goal-directed reaching

Dual-task studies have shown higher sensitivity for stimuli presented at the targets of upcoming actions. We examined whether attention is directed to action targets for the purpose of action selection, or if attention is directed to these locations because they are expected to provide feedback about movement outcomes. In our experiment, endpoint accuracy feedback was spatially separated from the action targets to determine whether attention would be allocated to (a) the action targets, (b) the expected source of feedback, or (c) to both locations. Participants reached towards a location indicated by an arrow while identifying a discrimination target that could appear in any one of eight possible locations. Discrimination target accuracy was used as a measure of attention allocation. Participants were unable to see their hand during reaching and were provided with a small monetary reward for each accurate movement. Discrimination target accuracy was best at action targets but was also enhanced at the spatially separated feedback locations. Separating feedback from the reaching targets did not diminish discrimination accuracy at the movement targets but did result in delayed movement initiation and reduced reaching accuracy, relative to when feedback was presented at the reaching target. The results suggest attention is required for both action planning and monitoring movement outcomes. Dividing attention between these functions negatively impacts action performance

Slowed information processing speed or executive dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease: Assessing performance independent of motor slowing.

A growing body of evidence has suggested that patients suffering from the motor disorders Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) also suffer from cognitive deficits. Although the prevalence of cognitive impairments in these patient groups is well documented there remains no explicit theory to explain the source of these impairments, with two main theories competing as an explanation; slowed information processing speed and executive dysfunction. The aim of the current study was to assess the specific cognitive impairments of both patient groups, and determine which competing theory was most relevant to each group. As participants within these patient groups are more susceptible to displaying mild to severe motor slowing or motor impairments, inspection time tasks as opposed to reaction time tasks were used, controlling for impaired motor responses. Eight MS patients, eight matched healthy controls and eight PD patients with eight matched controls were tested on a battery of neuropsychological tests to assess specific cognitive impairments. Three experimental tasks were used to directly assess the theories underlying the cause of any cognitive impairment found: a Pre-Loaded Dual Task (assessed executive dysfunction), VIT (information processing speed) and Letter RSVP (information processing speed). PD patients were not found to be impaired on any neuropsychological or experimental tasks when compared with their respective matched controls. MS patients were impaired on a number of neuropsychological tasks which directly assessed executive function; working memory, attention and planning. MS patients were significantly impaired on the Pre-Loaded Dual Task and showed a trend towards significance on the Letter RSVP task. It was argued that the cognitive impairments displayed by the MS patients were due to an executive dysfunction. However, as the study assessed small sample groups it was argued that cognitive impairments in MS patients may also be as a result of slowed information processing speed, combining both competing theories, although the current study did not have the statistical power to show a statistically significant difference in MS patient and control scores in tests of slowed information processing speed

Ageing carers and intellectual disability: a scoping review of literature

Purpose: Individuals with intellectual disability(ies) are living longer contributing to an overall increase in the average age of caregivers. This study reviewed the literature on the physical, social and psychological needs of ageing carers of individuals with intellectual disability(ies) in the United Kingdom. Design: A scoping review framework was used to identify literature from eleven databases, the grey literature and the references lists of relevant studies. Only primary research studies that discussed the needs of non-professional carers, aged 65+ years old, of individuals with intellectual disability(ies) in the United Kingdom were included. No date restrictions were applied. Thematic analysis was used to narratively synthesise findings. Findings: Six studies were included. Five key themes were identified: Living with fear, lack of information, rebuilding trust, proactive professional involvement and being ignored. Housing and support information is not communicated well to carers. Professionals require more training on carer needs and trust must be rebuilt between carers and professionals. Proactive approaches would help identify carer needs, reduce marginalisation, help carers feel heard and reduce the risk of care crisis. Greater recognition of mutual caring relationships is needed. Value: This review highlighted the needs of older caregivers for individuals with intellectual disability(ies) as well as the need for more high-quality research in this field. The information presented in this review may be considered by primary care providers and funding bodies when planning future support for this growing population of carers

A systematic review of interventions available during care crises for individuals with learning disabilities (LD) who are cared for by an ageing carer within the United Kingdom

The aim is to is to provide a greater understanding of the existing crisis interventions and preventative support available for individuals with learning disabilities (LD) who are cared for by an ageing carer within the UK. This will include evaluating the outcomes and effectiveness of available interventions, including cost-efficiency (where this information is provided).The current review aimed to synthesize all available evidence on the availability and effectiveness of the interventions available to support people with LD who are being cared for by older carers in times of crisis. This includes a review of the financial implications of such crises and interventions