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Updated: Jul 25, 2026
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Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control
Published on: July 5, 2015
Vigilance, alertness, or sustained attention: physiological basis and measurement
B S Oken1, M C Salinsky, S M Elsas
1Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), CR120, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. oken@ohsu.edu
Summary
Vigilance, or sustained attention, involves arousal and cognitive performance, influenced by neural systems and external factors. Physiological measures like EEG and eye movements help assess this crucial cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Vigilance, commonly defined as sustained attention or tonic alertness, is critical for cognitive performance.
- It is influenced by arousal levels on the sleep-wake axis and involves complex neural and neurotransmitter systems.
- Factors beyond sleep-wake states, including psychophysics and motivation, also impact vigilance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the underlying neural basis of vigilance.
- To discuss the assessment of vigilance using physiological tools.
- To explore the cognitive aspects integral to vigilance assessment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on vigilance.
- Discussion of physiological measures including electroencephalography (EEG), eye movements, and autonomic nervous system activity.
- Integration of cognitive function assessment within vigilance studies.
Main Results:
- Vigilance is modulated by a network of interacting neural and neurotransmitter systems.
- Physiological measures, particularly EEG, are commonly used to assess vigilance.
- Assessment of cognitive function is essential for a comprehensive understanding of vigilance.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the neural underpinnings of vigilance is key to its accurate assessment.
- A multi-faceted approach combining physiological and cognitive measures provides a robust evaluation of vigilance.
- Further research into the diverse factors influencing vigilance is warranted.
