Reward makes the rhythmic sampling of spatial attention emerge earlier

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Spatial attention exhibits rhythmic properties, influencing behavioral performance.
• Reward is a critical factor in attentional selection and processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of reward on the rhythmic characteristics of spatial attention.
• To determine how reward modulates attentional selection and behavioral responses.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a spatial cueing paradigm with time-resolved stimulus-onset-asynchrony (SOA).
• Manipulated cue color to signal high or low reward levels.
• Analyzed behavioral responses and neural oscillations (alpha power).

Main Results:

• Reward enhanced the late inhibition of return (IOR) effect, facilitating responses to uncued locations.
• Recurring alpha power inhibition (alpha inhibition) was observed at cued locations, fluctuating in the theta frequency (2-3 Hz).
• This alpha inhibition emerged earlier in the high-reward condition compared to the low-reward condition.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that reward expectation accelerates periodic attention sampling.
• Recurring alpha inhibition at cued locations indicates rhythmic attention sampling.
• High rewards expedite this attention sampling process, impacting behavioral outcomes.