The neural correlates of feature-based selective attention when viewing spatially and temporally overlapping images

We used dense-array EEG to study the neural correlates of selective attention to specific features of objects that spatially overlapped an unattended image. Participants viewed superimposed images (horizontal and vertical bars differing in color) and attended to one image to identify bar width changes in specific locations. Images were frequency tagged so attention directed to unique parts of the stimuli could be tracked. Steady-state visual evoked potentials were used to quantify attention-related neural activity. As expected, selectively attending to specific parts of the attended image enhanced brain activity related to the attended element, and left unchanged activity elicited by spatially overlapping unattended stimuli. Under specific conditions, however, we found increased activity to unattended stimuli. The specificity of the selective attention effects presented herein, however, may be limited under certain complex stimulus conditions.