fMRI

Diseño y validación de un paradigma para evaluar la atención selectiva, utilizando el software de código abierto “PsychoPy”, aplicable a la Resonancia Magnética Funcional. Design and validation of a paradigm to evaluate selective attention, using the open source software “PsychoPy”, applicable to Functional Magnetic Resonance.

Introduction: Selective attention is a neuropsychological function involved in carrying out activities, from the simplest to the most complex, guiding us towards the search for relevant elements for the achievement of proposed tasks and inhibiting other responses.

Objective: Design and validation of the paradigm to evaluate selective attention.

Methodology: Quantitative study, exploratory-descriptive, experimental. The instrument was designed in three stages: 1) elaboration of the paradigm, 2) validation of the construct and content, 3) Field test and data analysis applied to 18 healthy adults, selected in a non-probabilistic way, between 18 and 30 years old. The paradigm was developed virtually in “PsychoPy”, based on the d2 test and adapted for the Magnetic Resonator.

Results: High scores were found in the evaluation of selective attention and the average time of correct answers is adequate in relation to the amount of work. When analyzing the influence of age and sex with the frequency of correct answers, no statistically significant differences were found.

Conclusions: The selective attention paradigm is a complementary prognostic tool, useful to assess this function, because it has construct and content validity; being a safe, free and easy-to-apply instrument.

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Palabras clave: Adultos, atención selectiva, Ecuador, neuropsicología, Paradigma, RMf,

Keywords: Adults, Ecuador, fMRI, neuropsychology, Paradigm, selective attention,

Propuesta de un paradigma computarizado para valorar memoria de trabajo. Proposal of a computerized paradigm for evaluation of working memory.

A paradigm for evaluating working memory was validated with the use of N-back tasks in a computer program to be applied within Functional Magnetic Resonance (RMF). The study hypothesis is based on the fact that a verbal 2-back difficulty level increases the success in the performance of the task in working memory, valid to be used in RMF. Through a quantitative cross-sectional study, the N-back paradigm was adapted to a PshicoPy computer program. The task consisted of responding to the stimulus or letter that is the same as the one that appeared two places behind (2 back). 4 blocks of 30 seconds each were presented, and 4 blocks of rest of 30 seconds; in total it lasts 4 minutes. To study the validity of the paradigm, an expert validation and a pilot test were carried out with the participation of 18 adult university subjects. The data was tabulated in a spreadsheet, using statistical contingency table tests; and of sensitivity and specificity. The results offered data greater than 80% sensitivity and specificity regarding the subject’s performance before the test, and the validity of the stimuli. It is concluded that the test can be used to assess working memory by means of a computer program, which can also be used in applications such as RMF.