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TMS in the parietal cortex: updating representations for attention and action
M F S Rushworth1, P C J Taylor
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3UD, United Kingdom. matthew.rushworth@psy.ox.ac.uk
Neuropsychologia
|February 4, 2006
Summary
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) investigations reveal the parietal cortex is crucial for updating attention and sensorimotor representations during reorienting tasks. This technique precisely maps critical timing for these cognitive functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a recent technique for studying the parietal cortex.
- Previous research has used TMS to investigate attentional and sensorimotor processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of the parietal cortex in attentional and sensorimotor functions using TMS.
- To determine the critical timing of parietal cortex involvement in reorienting attention and updating action representations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to probe the human parietal cortex.
- Employed TMS for its high temporal resolution to investigate specific cognitive processes.
Main Results:
- TMS studies have generated hypotheses regarding the precise timing of parietal cortex activation.
- Evidence suggests circumscribed parietal regions are critical for specific attentional and sensorimotor processes.
- A consistent finding is the parietal cortex's contribution to reorienting attention and updating representations.
Conclusions:
- The parietal cortex plays a critical role in attentional and sensorimotor control.
- TMS is a valuable tool for understanding the temporal dynamics of parietal function.
- Parietal areas are essential when attention or movements require re-direction and updating.
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