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Timing and sequence of brain activity in top-down control of visual-spatial attention

Publication ,  Journal Article
Grent-'t-Jong, T; Woldorff, MG
Published in: PLoS Biology
January 1, 2007

Recent brain imaging studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have implicated a frontal-parietal network in the top-down control of attention. However, little is known about the timing and sequence of activations within this network. To investigate these timing questions, we used event-related electrical brain potentials (ERPs) and a specially designed visual-spatial attentional-cueing paradigm, which were applied as part of a multi-methodological approach that included a closely corresponding event-related fMRI study using an identical paradigm. In the first 400 ms post cue, attention-directing and control cues elicited similar general cue-processing activity, corresponding to the more lateral subregions of the frontal-parietal network identified with the fMRI. Following this, the attention-directing cues elicited a sustained negative-polarity brain wave that was absent for control cues. This activity could be linked to the more medial frontal-parietal subregions similarly identified in the fMRI as specifically involved in attentional orienting. Critically, both the scalp ERPs and the fMRI-seeded source modeling for this orienting-related activity indicated an earlier onset of frontal versus parietal contribution (∼400 versus ∼700 ms). This was then followed (∼800-900 ms) by pretarget biasing activity in the region-specific visual-sensory occipital cortex. These results indicate an activation sequence of key components of the attentional-control brain network, providing insight into their functional roles. More specifically, these results suggest that voluntary attentional orienting is initiated by medial portions of frontal cortex, which then recruit medial parietal areas. Together, these areas then implement biasing of region-specific visual-sensory cortex to facilitate the processing of upcoming visual stimuli. © 2007 Grent-'t-Jong and Woldorff.

Duke Scholars

Published In

PLoS Biology

DOI

EISSN

1545-7885

ISSN

1544-9173

Publication Date

January 1, 2007

Volume

5

Issue

1

Start / End Page

0114 / 0126

Related Subject Headings

  • Developmental Biology
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Grent-’t-Jong, T., & Woldorff, M. G. (2007). Timing and sequence of brain activity in top-down control of visual-spatial attention. PLoS Biology, 5(1), 0114–0126. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0050012
Grent-’t-Jong, T., and M. G. Woldorff. “Timing and sequence of brain activity in top-down control of visual-spatial attention.” PLoS Biology 5, no. 1 (January 1, 2007): 0114–26. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0050012.
Grent-’t-Jong T, Woldorff MG. Timing and sequence of brain activity in top-down control of visual-spatial attention. PLoS Biology. 2007 Jan 1;5(1):0114–26.
Grent-’t-Jong, T., and M. G. Woldorff. “Timing and sequence of brain activity in top-down control of visual-spatial attention.” PLoS Biology, vol. 5, no. 1, Jan. 2007, pp. 0114–26. Scopus, doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0050012.
Grent-’t-Jong T, Woldorff MG. Timing and sequence of brain activity in top-down control of visual-spatial attention. PLoS Biology. 2007 Jan 1;5(1):0114–0126.
Journal cover image

Published In

PLoS Biology

DOI

EISSN

1545-7885

ISSN

1544-9173

Publication Date

January 1, 2007

Volume

5

Issue

1

Start / End Page

0114 / 0126

Related Subject Headings

  • Developmental Biology
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences