Attention, inhibition, and proximity to clinical onset in preclinical mutation carriers for Huntington's disease

Abstract

Research in preclinical mutation carriers for Huntington's disease (HD) aims to find measures sensitive to preclinical decline. This study investigated attentional abilities in mutation carriers and noncarriers. Mutation carriers demonstrated a normal “attentional blink” during rapid serial visual presentation, normal covert visual orienting, and normal directing of attention to tactile stimuli. However, they were more likely than noncarriers to make anticipatory responses before target presentation. Additionally, those closer to estimated onset of HD demonstrated larger “inhibition of return” effects. The findings suggest potential changes in cognitive inhibition of unwanted responses, and in automatic inhibition of visual orienting, in preclinical HD.

This study was funded by Grant Number 194219 from the National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia). We sincerely thank all participants for their time and effort. We also thank Roslyn Tassicker from Genetic Health Services Victoria for her assistance.