Microstructural white matter connectivity underlying the attentional networks system
Fernando G Luna1, Juan Lupiáñez2, Elisa Martín-Arévalo2
1Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (IIPsi), CONICET-UNC, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Boulevard de la Reforma esquina Enfermera Gordillo, CP 5000. Córdoba, Argentina; Department of Experimental Psychology, and Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja S/N, CP 18011, Granada, Spain.
Behavioural Brain Research
|December 28, 2020
Summary
This study reveals that specific white matter tracts, like the right dorsolateral prefrontal caudate tract, support alerting and vigilance. However, connections for other attention networks remain unclear, requiring further research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- The structural connectivity of attentional networks (alerting, orienting, executive control) is debated.
- Previous research has limitations in examining white matter tracts related to attention and vigilance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and differentiate white matter connectivity underlying attentional and vigilance functions.
- To overcome limitations in prior studies on attention network connectivity.
Main Methods:
- Virtual in vivo dissections of attention-related white matter tracts in 30 healthy adults.
- Utilized the Attentional Networks Test for Interactions and Vigilance (ANT-I) task.
- Assessed phasic alertness, orienting, executive control, and executive vigilance.
Main Results:
- Phasic alertness correlated with the right dorsolateral prefrontal caudate tract and splenium of the corpus callosum.
- Connectivity for orienting, executive control, and executive vigilance was weak, inconsistent, or null.
- Overall reaction time for attention linked to the left cingulate fasciculus; executive vigilance linked to the bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus I.
Conclusions:
- The alerting network's structural connectivity is supported by specific white matter tracts.
- Further research is needed to clarify the complex relationship between attentional/vigilance processes and white matter microstructural connectivity.
