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Investigating the Deployment of Visual Attention Before Accurate and Averaging Saccades via Eye Tracking and Assessment of Visual Sensitivity
Published on: March 18, 2019
Control of spatial and feature-based attention in frontoparietal cortex.
Adam S Greenberg1, Michael Esterman, Daryl Wilson
1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA. agreenb@cmu.edu
Summary
Visual attention shifts involve a common brain signal in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and prefrontal cortex. However, the PPC shows distinct activity patterns for spatial versus feature-based attention shifts, indicating domain-specific neural tuning.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Attention Research
Background:
- Visual attention is crucial for selecting relevant information to meet behavioral goals.
- Attention can be directed across different domains, including spatial locations, features, and objects.
- Previous research suggests the medial superior parietal lobule may generate a domain-independent signal for attention control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying domain-independent and domain-specific control of attention shifts.
- To determine if the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) acts as a common hub for attention control across different domains.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure brain activity in human subjects.
- Participants voluntarily shifted attention between spatial locations and between colors at a fixed location.
- Univariate multiple regression and multivariate pattern classification were employed to analyze fMRI data.
Main Results:
- A common, domain-independent transient signal was identified in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and prefrontal cortex, time-locked to attention shifts in both spatial and feature domains.
- Multivariate pattern classification revealed distinct spatiotemporal activity patterns within the PPC for spatial versus feature-based attention shifts.
- This suggests domain-specific neural subpopulations within the PPC.
Conclusions:
- The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) serves as a common hub for controlling attention shifts across various domains.
- Within the PPC, distinct neuronal subpopulations exhibit domain-specific tuning, contributing to cognitive control.
- These findings advance our understanding of the neural basis of flexible attention control.
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