This study compared visual scanning patterns (VSP) in individuals with and without Alzheimer’s disease (AD), focusing on social versus nonsocial images and neutral versus emotional faces.
Methods:
Twenty-one adults (Mage = 75.95, SD = 7.98) performed 2 eye-tracking paired-preference tasks. Two indexes were analyzed: prioritization (attentional orientation) and preference.
Results:
The AD group displayed distinctive VSP: (1) delayed orientation to stimuli and (2) a strong preference for neutral faces paired with happy ones and objects competing with sad faces. All participants prioritized faces over nonsocial images.
Conclusion:
Understanding visual behavior in AD may contribute to early diagnosis and intervention.