Attention Dynamics Lab

Research Overview

We are interested in:

  • Exploring the ways infants, children, and adults focus and maintain attention on one task amidst a sea of choices. We use a variety of neuroscience methods, including behavioural analyses, eye-tracking, and EEG to further our understanding of these processes.
  • Researching the cognitive and physiological differences associated with developmental disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
  • Investigating the effects of exposure to nature (greenery) on concentration abilities.
  • Examining how children in the classroom are able to concentrate and listen to the teacher, how this skill is associated with learning, and how this relationship changes over time.
  • Studying the development of early attention and memory processes in infants.

Research Tools

RT_FFT_ExG_Analysis_Johnsonetal Matlab file (ZIP 2.2 KB)

Staff

  • Professor Katherine Johnson, Principal Investigator
  • Dr. Shuting Li, Lecturer
  • Dr. Sumie Leung, Research Fellow
  • Estelle Surette-Ferguson, Research Assistant

Current students

  • PhD students
    • Selma Fjaestad (with Prof Kathryn Williams, Dr Rose Macaulay) (2024-present)
    • Jia Ke (with Dr Simon De Deyne, Dr Shuting Li) (2024-present)
    • Marziyeh Mirghafarian (with Dr Shuting Li) (2025-present)
  • Masters students
    • Ella Coulson (2026-2027)
    • Vivienne Au (with Dr Helen Zhao) (2026)
  • Honours students
    • Ellie Gu (2026)

Completed PhD students

  • Dr. Rose Macaulay - with Prof Kathryn Williams, Dr Kate Lee
  • Dr. Shuting Li – with Dr Emma Burrows
  • Dr. Benita Green - with Associate Professor Lesley Bretherton
  • Dr. Keitaro Machida
  • Dr. Jesse Smith - with Professor Nick Allen and Dr Julian Simmons
  • Dr. Sally Richmond - with Professor Nick Allen, Associate Professor Sarah Whittle, Dr Marc Seal, Dr Richard Beare
  • Dr. Frances Lewis - with Associate Professor Bob Reeve
  • Dr. Chaille Breuer - with Associate Professor Bob Reeve
  • Dr. Jane McGrath - with Professor Louise Gallagher, Professor Hugh Garavan, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin

Completed Masters students

  • Shannon Hawkes (2024-2025), Masters in Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Prativa Khanal (2025), Masters in Urban Horticulture
  • Sarah Candoloro (2022-2023), Masters in Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Isabel Chua (2022-2023), Masters in Clinical Psychology
  • Areej Hassan (2022-2023), Masters in Clinical Psychology
  • Nick Busuttil (2022-2023), Masters in Clinical Psychology
  • Mia Dear (2021-2022), Masters in Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Ruth Minkov (2020-2021), Masters in Clinical Neuropsychology, with Dr Marc Seal and Dr Gareth Ball
  • Abigail Aizenstros (2020-2021), Masters in Clinical Psychology, with Prof Kim Cornish and Dr Frances Lewis
  • Mihiri Weerasinghe (2019-2020), Masters in Educational and Developmental Psychology, with Dr Cheree Murrihy
  • Tim Doman (2019-2020), Masters in Clinical Psychology
  • Kok Hon Leuar (2018-2019), Masters in Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Yi-En Quek (2018-2019), Masters in Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Poh Wong (2016-2017) Masters in Educational Psychology
  • Max White (2016-2017) Masters in Educational Psychology
  • Dr. Scott McDonald (2016-2017) Masters in Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Mariana Theodorou (2013-2014) Masters in Clinical Psychology
  • Annalise Avitabile (2013-2014) Masters in Clinical Psychology
  • Emma Burrows (2011-2012) Masters in Clinical Psychology
  • Alicia Mulholland, Queen’s University of Belfast (2009-2010) MSc in Atypical Child Development
  • Chelsea Maguire, Queen’s University of Belfast (2009-2010) MSc in Atypical Child Development

Completed Honours students

  • 2025: Ellie de van der Schueren, Andrea Pahor, Anna Jevremovic
  • 2024: Elisabetta Materazzo
  • 2023: Leilani Frost, Anastasia Liu, Sally Hill, Emily Hart
  • 2022: Claire Salmon, Anthony Chebaia
  • 2021: Georgia Radford
  • 2020: Isobel Bond, Vi Ly
  • 2019: Reeva Ashton, Annabelle Pontvianne, James Coleman
  • 2018: Yanchun Zheng, Tim Doman, Michaela Hughes
  • 2017: Nicole Nabout, Ashleigh De Winter, Ruby Pasquinelli, Phoebe Thomson
  • 2016: Sabbatical leave
  • 2015: Stella Milhailova, Brittany Cole, Jordana Mac
  • 2014: Marita Bryan, Kira Polonowita, Bowie Lau
  • 2013: Ebony Ziccardi, Neisha Kiernan, Jehan Gonsalkorale
  • 2012: Megan Antonucci
  • 2011: Phoebe Hammond, Kate Paton, Sarah Brcan
  • 2009/2010: Megan Whitehead, Catherine McElroy and Laura Bell (Queen’s University of Belfast)
  • 2008/2009: Sarah Denny (Trinity College Dublin)
  • 2007/2008 Michelle McCormick (Trinity College Dublin)
  • 2006/2007 Claire Waters (Trinity College Dublin)

Collaborators

  • Professor Kathryn Williams, Professor Nick Williams, Associate Professor Amy Hahs, Associate Professor John Rayner, Dr Kate Lee, Dr Rose Macaulay, SAFES, University of Melbourne
  • Professor Kim Cornish, Victoria University
  • Professor Jennifer T. Coull, Aix-Marseille Université & CNRS
  • Dr Soumitra Das, Dr Thilini Jayasooriya (Adult ADHD clinicians)
  • Prof Terry Hartig, Uppsala University
  • A/Prof Jane McGrath, Trinity College Dublin
  • Prof Fiona McNicholas and Dr Dimitrious Adamis, University College Dublin
  • Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha, WEHI, Professor Beverley-Ann Biggs, Peter Doherty Institute, and Professor Jena Hamadani and Dr Imrul Hasan, icddr-Bangladesh, and Dr Daniel Feuerriegel, Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne

Funding

    Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2026 – 2025 – “Adaptive decision making under threat: A developmental perspective”. Dr Sarah Tashjian, Professor Ben Harrison, Professor Katherine Johnson. ($391k).

    Horticulture Innovation Australia – 2024 – “Optimising green spaces in primary schools to enhance wellbeing, cognitive and behavioural outcomes”. Professor Katherine Johnson, Dr Amy Hahs, Professor Nick Williams, Associate Professor John Rayner. ($555k)

    University of Melbourne Health Promotion Grant – 2024 ($6,580)

    University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences 2023 – ADHD Study Skills Group 2024 ($9,818)

    Contemplative Studies Centre, Academic Seed Funding Program 2022 – “Integrating nature experience and contemplative practices to address eco-anxiety” – Prof Kathryn Williams, Dr Katharine Greenaway, Prof Iain Walker, A/P Katherine Johnson, Dr Cullan Joyce, Prof Dianne Vella-Brodrick ($19,952)

    The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (2020-2023) “REVAMP-TT”. A/P Sant-Rayn Pasricha, Prof Kamija Phiri, Prof Beverley-Ann Biggs, Dr Martin Mwangi, Dr Leila Larson, Prof Stephen Rogerson, Dr Lucinda Manda-Taylor, Prof Julie Simpson, Dr Sabine Braat, Prof Margaret Kelaher, Prof Jane Fisher, A/P Stefan Bode, A/P Katherine Johnson. ($7.1M AUD; $309,390 for our EEG research)

    The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (2019-2021) “Randomised controlled trial of the effect of intravenous iron on anaemia in Malawian pregnant women – REVAMP: Substudies”. Dr Sant-Rayn Pasricha, Prof Kamija Phiri, Prof Beverley-Ann Biggs, Dr Martin Mwangi, Dr Leila Larson, Prof Stephen Rogerson, Dr Lucinda Manda-Taylor, Prof Julie Simpson, Dr Stefan Bode, Dr Katherine Johnson. ($1.6M AUD; $222,931 for our EEG research)

    Horticulture Innovation Australia (2018-2020) “Overcoming barriers to green roof uptake using a demonstration site – people, performance and plants”. Associate Professor Nick Williams, Associate Professor John Rayner, Dr Claire Farrell, Associate Professor Kathryn Williams, Dr Katherine Johnson, Dr Rebecca Miller, Dr Kate Lee (all University of Melbourne), and Professor Leisa Sargent (UNSW) $546,319 ($886,422)

    Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2017-2020) “How does childhood inattention impact on the emerging cognitive landscape?”. Professor Kim Cornish (Monash University) and Dr Katherine Johnson ($543,000) DP170103522

Research Opportunities

This research project is available to PhD students, Masters by Research, Honours students to join as part of their thesis.
Please contact the Research Group Leader to discuss your options.

Research Outcomes

Research Publications

Published

Chua, I J J., Salmon, C., Vinnicombe, J., Bowen, J., McNicholas, F., Adamis, D., Jayasooriya, T., Das, S., Johnson, K A. ADHD symptom manifestation in adulthood: moving beyond conceptualisations of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2026. In press. doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2026.10175

Macaulay, R., Joyce, C., Johnson, K A., Vella-Broderick, D., Walker, I., Williams, K J H. Using contemplative nature engagement practices to address ecological distress. People and Nature. 2025, 7(11), 2971-2985. 10.1002/pan3.70172

Macaulay, R., Johnson, K A., Lee, K., Williams, K J H. Assessing different levels of psychological engagement with nature: A scoping review of experimental studies. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 2025. 104, June, 102623. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102623

Davis, Z., Jarvis, I., Macaulay, R., Johnson, K A., Williams, N S G., Li, Junxiang., Hahs, A K. A Systematic Review of the Associations Between Biodiversity and Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing. Environmental Research. 2025, 266, February, 120551. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120551.

Salmon, C., Li, S., Burrows, E L., Johnson, K A. Translational validity of neuropsychological tasks of sustained attention between rodents and humans: A systematic review of three rodent tasks. Journal of Neurochemistry, 2024, 168(9), 2170-2189. DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16117.

Li, S., Machida, K., Burrows, E L., Johnson, K A. Quicker Exogenous Orienting and Slower Endogenous Orienting in Autistic People. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2025, 55, 1495-1509. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06311-8

Macaulay, R., Johnson, K A., Lee, K., Williams, K J H. Examining the facets of mindful engagement and mind wandering in nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2024, 94, March, 102253. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102253

Li, S., May, C., Pang, T Y., Churilov, L., Hannan, A J., Johnson, K A., Burrows, E L. Mice with an autism-associated R451C mutation in neuroligin-3 show intact attention orienting but atypical responses to methylphenidate and atomoxetine in the mouse-Posner task, Psychopharmacology, 2024, 241, 555-567. DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06520-6.

Lee, K., Wylie, B., Williams, N. S. G., Johnson, K. A., Sargent, L. D., Williams, K. J. H. “It’s a little soap opera of its own”: Fascinating green roofs offer complexity, movement, sensory engagement, and vast vistas. Landscape and Urban Planning, 2023. 104925. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104925

Harding, R., Moya, E., Ataíde, R., Truwah, Z., Mzembe, G., Mhango, G., Stones, W., Randall, L., Seal, M., Johnson, K., Bode, S., Mwangi, M., Pasricha, S-R., Braat, S., Phiri, K. Protocol and statistical analysis plan for a randomized controlled trial of the effect of intravenous iron on anemia in Malawian pregnant women in their third trimester (REVAMP – TT). Gates Open Research, 2023, 7:117. https://doi.org/10.12688/gatesopenres.14710.2

Bond, I G., Machida, K., Johnson, K A. Daily arousal variation has little effect on sustained attention performance. Current Psychology, 2024, 43, 2690-2703. DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04473-9.

Larson, L.M^., Feuerriegel, D^., Hasan, M.I., Braat, S., Jin, J., Tipu, S.M.M., Shiraji, S., Tofail, F., Biggs, B-A., Hamadani, J.D*., Johnson, K.A*., Pasricha, S-R*., Bode, S*. Supplementation with iron syrup or iron-containing multiple micronutrient powders alters resting brain activity in Bangladeshi children. The Journal of Nutrition, 2023, 153(1), 352-363. ^Joint first authors *Joint senior authors. DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.12.026

Larson, L.M., Feuerriegel, D., Hasan, M.I., Braat, S., Jin, J., Tipu, S.M.M., Shiraji, S., Tofail, F., Biggs, B-A., Hamadani, J.D*., Johnson, K.A*., Bode, S*., Pasricha, S-R*. Effects of supplementation with iron syrup or multiple micronutrient powders on neural indices of habituation in Bangladeshi children: Substudy of a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2023, 117(1), 73-82. *Joint senior authors. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2022.11.023

Richmond, S., Beare, R., Johnson, K.A., Bray, K., Pozzi, E., Allen, N.B., Seal, M.L, Whittle, S. Maternal warmth is associated with network segregation across late childhood: A longitudinal neuroimaging study. Frontiers in Psychology, section Developmental Psychology, 2022, 13, 917189. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.917189

Thomson, P., Malpas, C., Vijaykumar, Johnson, K.A., Anderson, V., Efron, D., Hazell, P., Silk, T. Longitudinal Maturation of Resting State Networks: Relevance to Sustained Attention and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience, 2022, 22, 1432-1446. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13415-022-01017-9

Macaulay, R., Johnson, K A., Lee, K E., Williams, K J H. Comparing the effect of mindful and other engagement interventions in nature on attention restoration, nature connection, and mood. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2022, 81, 101813. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101813. Published online 8 May 2022.

Macaulay, R., Lee, K E., Johnson, K A., Williams, K J H. ‘Letting my mind run wild’: Exploring the role of individual engagement in nature experiences. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 2022, 71, May, 127566. DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127566

Johnson, K A., Pontvianne, A., Ly, V., Jin, R., Januar, J H., Machida, K., Sargent, L D., Lee, K E., Williams, N.S.G, Williams, K J H. Water and meadow views both afford perceived but not performance based attention restoration: Results from two experimental studies. Frontiers in Psychology, 2022, 13, DOI:  10.3389/fpsyg.2022.809629. Published online 25 April 2022.

Machida, K., Barry, E., Mulligan, A., Gill, M., Robertson, I H., Lewis, F C., Green, B., Kelly, S P., Bellgrove, M A., Johnson, K A. Which measures from a sustained attention task best predict ADHD group membership? Journal of Attention Disorders, 2022, 26(11), 1471 – 1482, 2022. DOI: 10.1177/10870547221081266. Published online 6 March 2022

Chiu, K., Lewis, F C., Ashton, R., Cornish, K M., Johnson, K A. Higher tablet use is associated with better sustained attention performance but poorer sleep quality in school-aged children. Frontiers in Psychology, 2022, Jan 3; 12:742468. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.742468

Macaulay, R., Lee, K E., Johnson, K.A., Williams, K J H. Mindful engagement, psychological restoration, and connection with nature in constrained nature experiences. Landscape and Urban Planning, 2022, 217(1), 104263. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104263. Published online 11 October 2021.

Quek, Y-E., Leuar, K H., Saling, M M., Johnson, K A. Memory Complaints in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults Are Not Associated With Memory or Sustained Attention Performance. Journal of Attention Disorders, 2022,26(4), 629-639. DOI: 10.1177/10870547211003670. Published online 24 March 2021

Burrows, E L., May, C., Hill, T., Churliov, L., Johnson, K A., Hannan, A J. Mice with an autism-associated R451C mutation in neuroligin-3 show a cautious but accurate response style in touchscreen attention tasks. Genes, Brain and Behavior, 2022, 21(1), e12757. DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12757. Published online 4 June 2021.

Williams, N S G., Bathgate, R S., Farrell, C., Lee, K E., Szota, C., Bush, J., Johnson, K A., Miller, R E., Pianella, A., Sargent, L D., Schiller, J., Williams, K J H., Rayner, J P. Ten years of greening a wide brown land: A synthesis of Australian green roof research and roadmap forward. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2021, 62, 127179. DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127179. Published online 17 May 2021.

Thomson, P., Johnson, K A., Malpas, C., Efron, D.  Sciberras, E., Silk, T. Head motion during MRI predicted by out-of-scanner sustained attention performance in Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Attention Disorders, 2021, 25(10), 1429-1440. DOI: 10.1177/1087054720911988. Published online 19 March 2020

Richmond, S., Beare, R., Johnson, K.A., Allen, N.B., Seal, M.L, Whittle, S. Towards understanding neurocognitive mechanisms of parenting: Maternal behaviors and structural brain network organization in late childhood. Human Brain Mapping, 2021, 42(6), 1845-1862, DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25334. Published online 2 February 2021.

Richmond, S., Schwartz, O., Johnson, K A., Seal, M.L., Bray, K. L. Deane, C., Sheeber, L B., Allen, N B. Whittle, S. Exploratory Factor Analysis of Observational Parent-Child Interaction Data. Assessment, 2020, 27(8), 1758-1776, DOI: 10.1177/1073191118796557

Li, S., May, C., Hannan, A., Johnson, K., Burrows, E. Assessing Attention Orienting in Mice: A Novel Touchscreen Adaptation of the Posner-Style Cueing Task. Neuropsychopharmacology, 2020, 46(2), 432-441, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00873-8

Thomson, P., Vijayakumar, N., Johnson, K A., Malpas, C B., Sciberras, E., Efron, D., Hazell, P., Silk, T J. Longitudinal trajectories of sustained attention development in children and adolescents with ADHD. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 2020, 48(12), 1529-1542, DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00698-5

Johnson, K A., Lewis, F C., Cornish, K M. A child-focused version of the Attention Network Task designed to investigate interactions between the attention networks, including the endogenous orienting network. Child Neuropsychology, 2020, 26(5), 666-690. DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2019.1702635

Johnson, K A., White, M., Wong, P S., Murrihy, C. Aspects of attention and inhibitory control are associated with on-task classroom behaviour and behavioural assessments, by both teachers and parents, in children with high and low symptoms of ADHD. Child Neuropsychology, 2020, 26(2), 219-241. DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2019.1639654

Machida, K., Johnson, K A. Integration and segregation of the brain relate to stability of performance in children and adolescents with varied levels of inattention and impulsivity. Brain Connectivity., 2019, Nov;9(9):711-729, DOI: 10.1089/brain.2019.0671

Machida, K., Murias, M.,  Johnson, K A. Electrophysiological Correlates of Response Time Variability During a Sustained Attention Task. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience., 2019, 13, 363. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00363

Williams, K J H., Lee, K E., Sargent, L., Johnson, K A., Rayner, J., Farrell, C., Miller, R E., Williams, N S G. Appraising the psychological benefits of green roofs for city residents and workers. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening., 2019, 44, 126399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2019.126399

Richmond, S., Beare, R., Johnson, K A., Allen, N A., Seal, M L., Whittle, S. Structural covariance networks in children and their associations with maternal behaviors. NeuroImage, 2019, 202(15), 115965, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.06.043

Smith, J D., Johnson, K A., Whittle, S., Allen, N B., Simmons, J G. Measurement of cortisol, DHEA and testosterone in the hair of children: preliminary results and promising indications. Developmental Psychobiology, 2019, 61(6), 962-970. DOI: 10.1002/dev.21807

Landry, O., Johnson, K A., Fleming, S., Crewther, S., Chouinard, P. A new look at the developmental profile of visual endogenous orienting. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2019, 183(7), 158-171. DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2019.01.022

Williams, K J W., Lee, KE., Hartig, T., Sargent, L D., Williams, N S. Johnson, K A. Conceptualising creativity benefits of nature experience: Attention restoration and mind wandering as complementary processes. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2018, 59(10), 36-45. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2018.08.005

Pasanen, T P., Johnson, K A., Lee, K W., Korpela, K M. Can nature walks with psychological tasks improve mood, self-reported restoration, and sustained attention? Results from two experimental field studies. Frontiers in Psychology, 2018. 9: 2057. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02057

Coull, J. T., Johnson, K A., Droit-Volet, S. A mental timeline for duration from the age of 5 years old. Frontiers in Psychology, 2018, 9:1155. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01155.

McCarthy, H., Stanley, J., Piech, R., Wetterling, F., Skokauskas, N., Mulligan, A., Donohoe, G., Mullins, D., Kelly, J., Johnson, K., Fagan, A., Gill, M., Meaney, J., Frodl, T.  Childhood Diagnosed Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Symptom Progression and Reversal Learning in Adulthood. Journal of Attention Disorders, 2018, 22(6), 561-570. DOI: 10.1177/1087054716661233

Machida, K., Chin, M., Johnson, K.A. The provision of partial notes is not associated with improved student attention in lectures or subsequent understanding of the lecture material. Active Learning in Higher Education, 2018, 19(2), 101-115. DOI: 10.1177/1469787417723241

Lewis, F.C., Reeve, R., Johnson, K.A. A Longitudinal Analysis of the Attention Networks in 6- to 11-year-old Children. Child Neuropsychology, 2018, 24(2), 145-165. DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2016.1235145

Lewis, F.C., Reeve, R., Kelly, S.P., Johnson, K.A. Sustained attention to a predictable, unengaging Go/No-Go task shows ongoing development between 6 and 11 years. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 2017, 79(6), 1726-1741.DOI: 10.3758/s13414-017-1351-4

Lewis, F.C., Reeve, R., Kelly, S.P., Johnson, K.A. Evidence of substantial development of inhibitory control and sustained attention between 6 and 8 years on an unpredictable Go/No-Go task. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2017, 157, May, 66-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2016.12.008

Johnson, K.A., Bryan, M., Polonowita, K., Decroupet, D., Coull, J.T. Isochronous sequential presentation helps children orient their attention in time. Frontiers in Psychology, 2016, Sep 22:7, 1417. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.0141.

Richmond, S., Johnson, K.A., Seal, M., Allen, N.B., Whittle, S. Development of Brain Networks and Relevance of Environmental and Genetic Factors: A Systematic Review. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 2016, 71(12), 215-239. DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.08.024

Tye, C., Johnson, K.A., Kelly, S. P., Asherson, P., Kuntsi, J., Ashwood, K.L., Azadi, B., Bolton, P., & McLoughlin, G. Response time variability under slow and fast-incentive conditions in children with ASD, ADHD and ASD+ADHD. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2016, 57(12), 1414-1423. DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12608

Johnson, K.A., Warr, D.J., Hegarty, K., Guillemin, M. Small wins: an initiative to promote gender equity in higher education. The Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 2015, 37(6), 689-701. DOI: 10.1080/1360080X.2015.1102820.

Lee, K.E., Williams, K.J., Sargent, L.D., Williams, N.S., Johnson, K.A. 40-second green roof views sustain attention: The role of micro-breaks in attention restoration. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2015, 42(6), 182-189. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.04.003.

Johnson, K.A., Burrowes, E., Coull, J.T. Children can implicitly, but not voluntarily, direct attention in time. PLOS ONE, 2015, 10(4):e0123625. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123625.

Fitzgerald, J., Johnson, K.A., Kehoe, E., Bodke, A., Garavan, H., Gallagher, L., McGrath, J.  Disrupted functional connectivity in dorsal and ventral attention networks during attention orienting in autism spectrum disorders. Autism Research, 2015, 8(2), 136-152. DOI: 10.1002/aur.1430.

Johnson, K.A., Healy, E., Dooley, B., Kelly, S.P., McNicholas, F.  Children born with very low birth weight show difficulties with sustained attention but not response inhibition. Child Neuropsychology, 2015, 21(5),629-647. DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2014.964193. Published online 24 October 2014.

McAvinue, L., Vangkilde, S., Johnson, K.A., Habekost, T., Kyllingsbaek, S., Bundesen, C., Robertson, I.H. A componential analysis of visual attention in children with ADHD.  Journal of Attention Disorders, 2015, 19(10), 882-894, published online 27 November 2012, doi:10.1177/1087054712461935.

Green, B., Johnson, K.A., Bretherton, L.  Pragmatic language difficulties in children with hyperactivity and attention problems: an integrated review. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 2014, 49(1), 15-29. DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.12056.

Paton, K., Hammond, P., Barry, E., Fitzgerald, M., McNicholas, F., Kirley, A., Robertson, I., Bellgrove, M A., Gill, M., Johnson, K A. Methylphenidate improves some but not all measures of attention, as measured by the TEA-Ch in medication-naïve children with ADHD. Child Neuropsychology, 2014, 20(3), 303-318. DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2013.790358.

Adamo, N., Di Martino, A., Esu, L., Petkova, E., Johnson, K.A., Kelly, S., Castellanos, F.X., Zuddas, A. Increased RT variability across different cognitive tasks in children with ADHD.  Journal of Attention Disorders, 2014, 18(5), 434-446. DOI: 10.1177/1087054712439419.

Johnson, K.A., Barry, E., Lambert, D., Fitzgerald, M., McNicholas, F., Kirley, A., Gill, M., Bellgrove, M.A., Hawi, Z. Methylphenidate side-effect profile is influenced by genetic variation in the ADHD-associated CES1 gene. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 2013, 23(10), 655-664. DOI: 10.1089/cap.2013.0032.

McGrath, J., Johnson, K.A., O’Hanlon, E., Garavan, H., Leemans, A., Gallagher, L.  Abnormal functional connectivity during visuospatial processing is associated with disrupted organisation of white matter in autism. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2013, 7:434. 34-52. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00434.

McCarthy, H., Skokauskas, N., Mulligan, A., Donohoe, G., Mullins, D., Kelly, J., Johnson, K A., Fagan, A., Gill, M., Meaney, J., Frodl, T. Attention network hypoconnectivity with default and affective network hyperconnectivity in adults diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Childhood. JAMA Psychiatry, 2013, 70(12), 1329-1337. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.2174.

McGrath, J., Johnson, K.A., O’Hanlon, E., Garavan, H., Gallagher, L., Leemans, A.  White matter and visuospatial processing in autism: a constrained spherical deconvolution tractography study. Autism Research, 2013, 6(5), 307-319, published on-line 18 March 2013. doi: 10.1002/aur.1290.

McAvinue, L.P., Habekost, T., Johnson, K.A., Kyllingsbaek, S., Vangkilde, S., Bundesen, C., Robertson, I.H. Sustained attention, attentional selectivity, and attentional capacity across the lifespan. Attention, Perception and Psychophysics, 2012, 74(8), 1570-1582. DOI: 10.3758/s13414-012-0352-6.

McGrath, J., Johnson, K.A., Ecker, C., O’Hanlon, E., Gill, M., Gallagher, L., Garavan, H. Atypical visuospatial processing in autism: insights from functional connectivity analysis. Autism Research, 2012, 5(5), 314-330. doi: 10.1002/aur.1245.

Badawy, R., Johnson, K.A., Cook, M.J., Harvey, A.S.  A mechanistic appraisal of cognitive dysfunction in epilepsy. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2012, 36(8), 1885-1896. DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.05.002.

McAvinue, L., Vangkilde, S., Johnson, K.A., Habekost, T., Kyllingsbaek, S., Robertson, I.H., Bundesen, C.  The relationship between sustained attention, attentional selectivity and capacity.  Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 2012, 24(3), 313-328.  Doi: 10.1080/20445911.2011.628653.

Braet, W., Johnson, K.A., Tobin, C.T., Acheson, R., McDonnell, C., Hawi, Z., Barry, E., Mulligan, A., Gill, M., Bellgrove, M.A., Robertson, I.H., Garavan, H.  fMRI activation during response inhibition and error processing: The role of the DAT1 gene in typically developing adolescents and those diagnosed with ADHD.  Neuropsychologia, 2011, 49(7), 1641-1650.  doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2011.01.001.

Wood A.C., Rijsdijk F., Johnson K.A., Andreou P., Albrecht B., Arias-Vasquez A., Buitelaar J.K., McLoughlin G., Rommelse N.N.J., Sergeant J.A., Sonuga-Barke E.J.S., Uebel H., van der Meere J.J., Banaschewski T., Gill M., Manor I., Miranda A., Mulas F., Oades R.D., Roeyers H., Rothenberger A., Steinhausen H.C., Faraone S.V., Asherson P., & Kuntsi J.  The relationship between ADHD and cognitive phenotypes is not mediated by shared familial effects with IQ. Psychological Medicine, 2011, 41(4), 861-871. doi:10.1017/S003329171000108X.

Kuntsi, J., Wood, A.C., Rijsdijk, F., Johnson, K.A., Andreou, P., Albrecht, B., Arias-Vasquez, A., Buitelaar, J.K., McLoughlin, G., Rommelse, N.N.J., Sergeant, J.A., Sonuga-Barke, E.J., Uebel, H., van der Meere, J.J., Banaschewski, T., Gill, M., Manor, I., Miranda, A., Mulas, F., Oades, R.D., Roeyers, H.D., Rothenberger, A., Steinhausen, H-C., Faraone, S.V., Asherson, P.  Separation of cognitive impairments in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder into two familial factors.  Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010, 67(11), 1159-1166.  doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.139.

Johnson, K.A., Dáibhis, A., Tobin, C., Acheson, R., Watchorn, A., Mulligan, A., Barry, E., Bradshaw, J.L., Gill, M., Robertson, I.H.  Right-sided spatial difficulties in ADHD demonstrated in continuous movement control. Neuropsychologia, 2010, 48(5), 1255-1264. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.12.026.

Braet, W., Johnson, K.A., Tobin, C., Acheson, R., Bellgrove, M.A., Robertson, I.H., Garavan, H.  Functional developmental changes underlying response inhibition and error-detection processes. Neuropsychologia, 2009, 47(14), 3143-51. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.07.018

Bellgrove, M.A., Johnson, K.A., Barry, E., Mulligan, A., Hawi, Z., Gill, M., Robertson, I.H., Chambers, C.D.  Dopaminergic haplotype as a predictor of spatial inattention in children with ADHD. Archives of General Psychiatry, 2009, 66(10), 1135-1142. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.120.

Johnson, K.A., Wiersema, J. R., Kuntsi, J.  What would Karl Popper say - Are current psychological theories of ADHD falsifiable? Behavioral and Brain Functions, 2009, 5:15 (Highly Accessed). doi:10.1186/1744-9081-5-15.

Johnson, K.A., Robertson, I.H. Barry, E., Mulligan, A., Dáibhis, A., Daly, M., Watchorn, A., Gill, M., Bellgrove, M.A. Impaired conflict resolution and alerting in children with ADHD: evidence from the Attention Network Task (ANT).  Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2008, 49(12), 1339-1347. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01936.x.

Johnson, K.A., Kelly, S.P., Robertson, I.H. Barry, E., Mulligan, A., Daly, M., Lambert, D., McDonnell, C., Connor, T.J., Hawi, Z., Gill, M., Bellgrove, M.A.  Absence of the 7-repeat variant of the DRD4 VNTR is associated with drifting sustained attention in children with ADHD but not in controls.  American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, 2008, 147B(6), 927-937. Doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.30718.  Winner of the European Psychiatric Association Research Prize (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry) 2009.

Greene, C.M., Braet, W., Johnson, K.A., Bellgrove, M.A.  Imaging the genetics of executive function.  Biological Psychology, 2008, 79, 30-42.  doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.11.009.

Bellgrove, M.A., Barry, E., Johnson, K.A., Cox, M., Dáibhis, A., Daly, M., Hawi, Z., Lambert, D., Lawlor, M., Moran, T., Fitzgerald, M., McNicholas, F., Robertson, I. H., Gill, M., Kirley, A. Spatial attentional bias as a marker of genetic risk, symptom severity and stimulant response in ADHD.  Neuropsychopharmacology,2008, 33(10), 2536-2545.  doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301637.

Johnson, K.A., Barry, E., Bellgrove, M.A., Cox, M., Kelly, S.P., Dáibhis, A., Daly, M., Fitzgerald, M., McNicholas, F., Kirley, A., Robertson, I.H., Gill, M.  Dissociation in response to methylphenidate administration on sustained attention in a group of medication naïve children with ADHD.  Neuropsychologia, 2008, 46(5), 1532-1541. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2008.01.002.

Sanders, J., Johnson, K.A.., Garavan, H., Gill, M., Gallagher, L.  A review of neuropsychological and neuroimaging research in Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Attention, inhibition and cognitive flexibility.  Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2008, 2(1), 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2007.03.005.

Bellgrove, M.A., Chambers, C.D., Johnson, K.A., Dáibhis, A., Daly, M., Hawi, Z., Lambert, D., Gill, M., Robertson, I.H.  Dopaminergic genotype biases spatial attention in healthy children.  Molecular Psychiatry, 2007, 12(8), 786-792. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4002022.

Johnson, K.A., Robertson, I.H., Kelly, S.P., Silk, T.J., Barry, E., Dáibhis, A., Watchorn, M., Keavey, M., Fitzgerald, M., Gallagher, L., Gill, M., Bellgrove, M.A.  Dissociation in performance of children with ADHD and autism on a task of sustained attention.  Neuropsychologia, 2007, 45(10), 2234-2245.  doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2007.02.019.

Johnson, K.A., Kelly, S.P., Bellgrove, M.A., Barry, E., Cox, M., Gill, M., Robertson, I.H.  Response variability in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: evidence for neuropsychological heterogeneity. Neuropsychologia, 2007, 45(4), 630-638.  doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2006.03.034.

Rinehart NJ, Tonge BJ, Bradshaw J, L., Iansek R, Enticott PG, Johnson KA.  Movement-Related Potentials in Autism and Asperger's disorder. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 2006, 48(4), 272-277.  DOI: 10.1017/S0012162206000594.

Johnson. K.A., Cunnington. R., Bradshaw. J.L., Chiu. E., Iansek. R.  Effect of an attentional strategy on movement-related potentials recorded from subjects with Huntington’s disease.  Movement Disorders, 2002, 17(5), 998 – 1003.  DOI: 10.1002/mds.10204.

Johnson. K.A., Cunnington. R., Iansek. R.,Bradshaw. J.L., Georgiou. N., Chiu. E. Movement related potentials in Huntington’s disease – movement preparation and execution.  Experimental Brain Research, 2001, 138(4), 492 - 499.  DOI: 10.1007/s002210100733.

Bellgrove, M.A., Bradshaw, J.L., Velakoulis, D., Johnson, K.A., Rogers, M.A., Smith, D., Pantelis, C. Bimanual coordination in chronic schizophrenia. Brain and Cognition, 2001, 45(3), 325-341.  doi: 10.1006/brcg.2000.1261.

Johnson. K.A., Bennett., J.E., Georgiou, N., Bradshaw, J.L., Chiu, E., Cunnington, R., Iansek, R.  Bimanual co-ordination in Huntington’s disease.  Experimental Brain Research, 2000, 134(4), 483-489. DOI 10.1007/s002210000485.

Johnson, K.A., Cunnington, R., Bradshaw, J.L., Phillips, J., Iansek, R., Rogers, M. Bimanual Coordination in Parkinson’s disease. Brain, 1998, 121(4), 734-753.  Doi: 10.1093/brain/121.4.743.

Cunnington, R., Iansek, R., Johnson, K.A., Bradshaw, J.L.  Movement-related potentials in Parkinson’s Disease. Motor imagery and movement preparation. Brain, 1997, 120(8), 1339-1353.  doi: 10.1093/brain/120.8.1339.

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Cognitive Psychology and Behavioural Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology

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For further information about this research, please contact Laboratory Director Professor Katherine Johnson

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Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

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