Browsing by Author "Threadgill, A. Hunter"

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    Motor Preparation and Execution for Performance Difficulty: Centroparietal Beta Activation during the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task as a Function of Motivation
    (MDPI, 2021) Wilhelm, Ricardo A.; Threadgill, A. Hunter; Gable, Philip A.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Florida State University; University of Delaware
    Debate exists as to the effects of anxiety in performance-based studies. However, no studies have examined the influence of motivation both in preparation of a motor movement and during movement performance. The present study measured beta activation in preparation for and during execution of the effort expenditure for rewards task (EEfRT), a button-pressing task consisting of easy and hard trials. Results indicated that motor preparation (i.e., reduced beta activation) was greater in preparation for hard trials than for easy trials. Additionally, motor preparation decreased (i.e., beta activation increased) over the course of hard trial execution. These results suggest that motor preparation is enhanced prior to more challenging tasks but that motor preparation declines as participants become closer to completing their goal in each challenging trial. These results provide insight into how beta activation facilitates effort expenditure for motor tasks varying in difficulty and motivation. The impact of these results on models of anxiety and performance is discussed.
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    Neurocognitive characteristics of youth with noncomorbid and comorbid forms of conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
    (Saunders, 2017) Glenn, Andrea L.; Remmel, Rheanna J.; Ong, Min Yee; Lim, Nikki S. J.; Ang, Rebecca P.; Threadgill, A. Hunter; Ryerson, Nicole; Raine, Adrian; Fung, Daniel; Ooi, Yoon Phaik; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Agency for Science Technology & Research (A*STAR); A*STAR - Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS); Nanyang Technological University & National Institute of Education (NIE) Singapore; Nanyang Technological University; National Institute of Education (NIE) Singapore; University of Pennsylvania; University of Basel
    Objective: Studies investigating neurocognitive deficits in youth with conduct disorder (CD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often confounded by the high rates of comorbidity between the two. Method: Neurocognitive functioning was examined in three diagnostic groups (ADHD only, CD only, comorbid ADHD and CD) matched by age, sex, IQ, and medication status (n = 28-32 per group). Results: No significant differences emerged between the diagnostic groups on measures of risk-taking or response inhibition. Children with CD performed better on a measure of spatial planning than those with comorbid ADHD and CD, and dimensional analyses in the full sample (n = 265) revealed a small association between ADHD symptoms and poorer spatial planning. Conclusion: These results suggest that deficits in spatial planning may be more pronounced in individuals with ADHD, but that the neurocognitive functioning of youth with noncomorbid and comorbid CD and ADHD are largely similar. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.