Voluntary and Automatic Visual Spatial Shifts of Attention in Parkinsons Disease: An Analysis of Costs and Benefits

Abstract

Visual spatial shifts of attention were investigated in 13 patients suffering from Parkinsons disease and 20 control subjects. Attention was directed towards a target location with peripheral or central cues at varying SOAs in two separate experiments. A benefit and cost analysis was conducted on reaction times. The results of the central cueing task showed that in comparison with control subjects, costs of invalid cueing were reduced in patients. Results of the peripheral cueing task revealed that although the cueing effect (validin valid) was similar for patients and controls, the effect of valid cueing (neutral valid) was greater in patients. The effects observed in both tasks were explained as an impaired ability of patients with Parkinsons disease to maintain attention.