Crossmodal links between vision and touch in spatial attention: a computational modelling study.
Many studies have revealed that attention operates across different sensory modalities, to facilitate the selection of relevant information in the multimodal situations of every-day life. Cross-modal links have been observed either when attention is directed voluntarily (endogenous) or involuntarily (exogenous). The neural basis of cross-modal attention presents a significant challenge to cognitive neuroscience. Here, we used a neural network model to elucidate the neural correlates of visual-tactile interactions in exogenous and endogenous attention. The model includes two unimodal (visual and tactile) areas connected with a bimodal area in each hemisphere and a competition between the two hemispheres. The model is able to explain cross-modal facilitation both in exogenous and endogenous attention, ascribing it to an advantaged activation of the bimodal area on the attended side (via a top-down or bottom-up biasing), with concomitant inhibition towards the opposite side. The model suggests that a competitive/cooperative interaction with biased competition may mediate both forms of cross-modal attention.
Department of Electronics, Computer Science and Systems, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, 47023 Cesena, Italy. elisa.magosso@unibo.it
Elisa
E
Magosso
Andrea
A
Serino
Giuseppe
G
di Pellegrino
Mauro
M
Ursino
D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D054022:Cerebrum / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*