Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2025
09:37
Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control
Published on: July 5, 2015
9.1K
Distinct feedforward and feedback pathways for cell-type specific attention effects
Georgios Spyropoulos1, Marius Schneider2, Jochem van Kempen3
1Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Neuron
|May 17, 2024
Summary
Selective attention enhances neural communication, but not through gamma phase-locking between brain areas. Instead, attention boosts cell firing rates in specific layers and cell types within the visual cortex.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
- Visual Cortex Research
Background:
- Selective attention is theorized to involve enhanced neural firing in extrastriate areas.
- Inter-areal communication via gamma (30-80 Hz) phase-locking is a proposed mechanism for attentional enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gamma phase-locking in V1-V4 communication during selective attention.
- To examine cell-type and layer-specific effects of attention and gamma rhythms in the visual cortex.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous electrophysiological recordings from macaque V1 and V4, differentiating cell types and cortical layers.
- Analysis of local field potentials and single-unit activity during attention tasks.
- Opto-tagging of interneurons in the mouse visual system for validation.
Main Results:
- Attention increased V1-V4 local field potential gamma phase-locking, but V1 gamma did not engage V4 excitatory neurons.
- V1 gamma selectively engaged fast-spiking interneurons in V4 layer 4.
- Attention enhanced V4 spike rates in both excitatory and inhibitory cells, particularly in layers 2/3, preceding V1 activity.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced signal transmission during attention does not rely on inter-areal gamma phase-locking.
- The endogenous gamma rhythm exerts cell-type- and layer-specific influences on downstream visual areas.
- Attention-related activity modulation in V4 occurs independently of V1 gamma phase-locking.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Cell Signaling Feedback Loops
6.3K
Positive and negative feedback loops are crucial for regulating biological signaling systems. These feedback loops are processes that connect output signals to their inputs.
Negative feedback loops
Most signaling systems have negative feedback loops that can perform different functions such as output limiter, and adaptation.
Output limiter
Upon receiving an input signal, the cellular response rapidly increases until a threshold is reached. Beyond this threshold, a negative feedback loop...
Negative feedback loops
Most signaling systems have negative feedback loops that can perform different functions such as output limiter, and adaptation.
Output limiter
Upon receiving an input signal, the cellular response rapidly increases until a threshold is reached. Beyond this threshold, a negative feedback loop...
6.3K
01:22Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
6.4K
The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity.
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
6.4K
01:25Neural Circuits
1.2K
Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
1.2K
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
5.3K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
5.3K
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
6.3K
Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.3K
01:20Anatomy of the Eyeball
7.1K
The eye is a spherical, hollow structure composed of three tissue layers. The outer layer — the fibrous tunic, comprises the sclera — a white structure — and the cornea, which is transparent. The sclera encompasses some of the ocular surface, most of which is not visible. However, the 'white of the eye' is distinctively visible in humans compared to other species. The cornea, a clear covering at the front of the eye, enables light penetration. The eye's middle...
7.1K