The neural mechanisms of top-down attentional control.
Selective visual attention involves dynamic interplay between attentional control systems and sensory brain structures. We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a cued spatial-attention task to dissociate brain activity related to attentional control from that related to selective processing of target stimuli. Distinct networks were engaged by attention-directing cues versus subsequent targets. Superior frontal, inferior parietal and superior temporal cortex were selectively activated by cues, indicating that these structures are part of a network for voluntary attentional control. This control biased activity in multiple visual cortical areas, resulting in selective sensory processing of relevant visual targets.
Hopfinger
J B
JB
Center for Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, One Shields Ave., University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Buonocore
M H
MH
Mangun
G R
GR
D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D003116:Color; D003463:Cues; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*