Spatio-temporal characterization of neuronal interference processing influenced by spatial and feature-based attention

一方面，对大量输入信息的神经元处理可以被有意地改变，例如通过将注意力定向到空间中的某个位置(空间)或特定的颜色(基于特征)。另一方面，神经元的处理受到感觉输入性质的影响，例如，当相互竞争的刺激需要不同的反应时，一个人必须决定正确的反应。到目前为止，这两个过程(注意定向和由于竞争刺激引起的冲突处理)的交互作用主要是在行为水平上进行的。在本项目中，我们在神经元水平上详细表征了空间注意定向(实验1)和基于特征的注意定向(实验2)对相容、不相容和中性任务无关刺激加工的影响。因此，可以对人类大脑中干扰控制机制的功能收集新的见解。在这两个实验中，都收集了磁共振断层扫描和电生理数据，并利用这两种方法的互补优势(良好的空间/时间分辨率)，将各自的数据输入到共同的分析中。通过比较两个实验的结果，可以明确空间注意和基于特征的注意是否受到相同的干扰控制机制的控制。

On the one hand, neuronal processing of the multitude of incoming information can be altered intentionally, for example by directed attentional orienting to a location in space (spatial) or to a certain color (feature-based). On the other hand, neuronal processing is influenced by the nature of sensory input, for example when competing stimuli require different reactions and one has to decide on the correct reaction. Until now, the interaction of these two processes (attentional orienting, conflict processing due to competing stimuli) has been examined predominantly at the behavioral level. In the present project we characterize the effects of spatial (experiment 1) and feature-based (experiment 2) attentional orientation on the processing of compatible, incompatible and neutral task-irrelevant stimuli in detail on a neuronal level. Thereby new insight can be gathered on the functionality of interference control mechanisms in the human brain. In both experiments magnetic resonance tomographic as well as electrophysiological data are collected and to benefit from the complementary advantages of both methods (good spatial/temporal resolution) the respective data are fed into a common analysis. By comparing the results of both experiments it can be clarified whether spatial and feature-based attention are controlled by the same interference control mechanism.