title: Separable networks for top-down attention to auditory non-spatial and visuospatial modalities.
abstract: A central question for cognitive neuroscience is whether there is a single neural system controlling the allocation of attention. A dorsal frontoparietal network of brain regions is often proposed as a mediator of top-down attention to all sensory inputs. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging in humans to show that the cortical networks supporting top-down attention are in fact modality-specific, with distinct superior fronto-parietal and fronto-temporal networks for visuospatial and non-spatial auditory attention respectively. In contrast, parts of the right middle and inferior frontal gyri showed a common response to attentional control regardless of modality, providing evidence that the amodal component of attention is restricted to the anterior cortex.
authors: Computational, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory C3NL Burlington Danes Building, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK. rodrigo.braga09@imperial.ac.uk
authors: Rodrigo M
authors: RM
authors: Braga
authors: Liam R
authors: LR
authors: Wilson
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Sharp
authors: Richard J S
authors: RJ
authors: Wise
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Leech
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult