Spatial direction of attention enhances right hemispheric event-related gamma-band synchronization in humans.
Gamma-band oscillations are related to sensory information processing and attention. To further illuminate the relationship of gamma-band activity and selective somatic attention, we have studied the effects of direction of attention on the stimuli of somatosensory evoked potentials. Responses during focused attention to stimulation of the right median nerve and ignored stimulation at the right tibial nerve were compared with responses of ignored stimulation of the right median nerve but focused attention to stimulation at the right tibial nerve. Subtraction of the data demonstrated a significant predominantly right hemispheric event-related synchronization in the gamma-band by attention to the right median nerve in the time period between 280 and 325 ms post-stimulus. This finding implicates the involvement of a right temporoparietal network in selective spatial attention.
Gobbelé
René
R
Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany. rgobbele@ukaachen.de
Waberski
Till Dino
TD
Schmitz
Sandra
S
Sturm
Walter
W
Buchner
Helmut
H
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000502:physiology