Short Attentional Network Task (Short ANT)

Background

The Attentional Network Task (ANT), originally introduced by Jin Fan and colleagues in 2002, is a cognitive behavioral assessment tool of different attentional components referred to as 'attentional networks': Alerting ('vigilance'), Orienting ('selective attention'), and Executive Attention (in the form of conflict resolution). Fan et al published a shorter version of the original ANT design in 2005 to optimize fMRI research of these three attention networks. This shorter version cuts out control flanker condition (that presents no flanker arrows) as well as the double cue condition and runs in about half the time as the original design.

Task Procedure

The participant sees a configuration of 5 arrows above or below a fixation cross and is asked to press as fast as possible the left response button if the central arrow points to the left or the right response button if the central arrow points to the right (irrespective of where the flanking arrows point). The arrow configuration may be preceded by a brief visual cue. In the example below, the participant sees one star in the center of the screen (in the location of the fixation cross) the fixation cross) that signals that the arrows will come along shortly ('alerting') but leaves the location of the arrows unknown ('no orienting').

What it Measures

The Attentional Network Task (ANT) is a cognitive behavioral test to measure the effects of three attentional networks on accuracy and response times.

Psychological domains

• Attention: Assessment of Attentional Networks
• Vigilance: Measures the ability to achieve and maintain a state of high sensitivity to incoming stimuli
• Selective Attention: Measures the ability to select information from sensory input by directing attention to a specific location in space
• Executive Control: Measures the ability to resolve conflict among competing stimuli, involving response inhibition and decision-making

Main Performance Metrics

• alertingEffect: The effect of alerting signals on response speed and performance
• orientingEffect: The effect of orientation signals on response speed and performance
• conflictEffect: The cost effect of flanker incongruence on response speed and performance

Psychiatric Conditions

ANT performance tends to be impaired in patients with the following psychiatric conditions.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Schizophrenia
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)