The Neural Basis of Internal Attention

内部注意力的神经基础

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-04555
• 负责人: Kam, Julia
• 金额: $ 2.77万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=740036
• 关键词: Neural; Basis; Internal; Attention

How does our brain enable us to pay attention to our thoughts? As you review a manuscript, you may occasionally find yourself reminiscing your last summer vacation. This internal attention state is a prominent aspect of our everyday cognition that involves attending internally to cognitive processes such as memory recall. It is associated with adaptive outcomes such as creativity and maladaptive consequences such as performance deficits. Although it occupies up to half of our awake time, the neural basis of internal attention remains largely unknown. Broadly, my NSERC research program aims to elucidate the neural mechanisms and structures supporting this fundamental cognitive phenomenon. In particular, I will work with my team of HQP to pursue three main objectives. First, I will clarify the neural mechanisms underlying specific types of internal attention. Although my previous research established the spatiotemporal dynamics of internal attention, its heterogeneous nature was not considered. Therefore the current proposal will be the first to reveal the neural mechanism supporting different types of internal attention. Second, I will establish the critical role of default network subsystems in internal attention. My recent work indicated components of the fronto-parietal control network are causally involved; however, the causal role of default network subsystems remains unknown. Third, I will predict internal attention states in real time using machine learning with EEG measures in ecologically valid paradigms. This will be the first study to use naturalistic stimuli with electrophysiological measures for real time detection of internal attention. To address these objectives, I will employ several methodological approaches. The proposed studies primarily rely on electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, and advanced signal processing techniques. They also involve the neuropsychological approach to determine the causal relevance of neural substrates necessary for internal attention, as well as the neurosurgical approach using intracranial EEG. This is an emerging methodology in cognitive neuroscience that is characterized by excellent spatial and temporal resolution important for elucidating the neural dynamics of internal attention. In addition, the proposed research requires advanced statistical techniques, including linear mixed effects model analyses and cluster based permutation tests. This unique combination of approaches will provide outstanding opportunities for my HQPs to master crucial skills that will help them excel in future positions. My proposed research will be pivotal for developing a theoretical model that explains the neurophysiological basis of internal attention, thereby solidifying Canada as a leading contributor to attentional neuroscience research. This program will ultimately drive the development of tools that optimize attentional control, which will benefit Canadians in educational and occupational settings.

我们的大脑是如何使我们能够关注我们的思想的？当你审阅手稿时，你可能会发现自己偶尔会回想起你上一个暑假。这种内部注意力状态是我们日常认知的一个重要方面，它涉及到对记忆回忆等认知过程的内部参与。它与创造力等适应性结果和表现欠佳等非适应性后果有关。尽管它占据了我们清醒时间的一半，但内部注意力的神经基础在很大程度上仍然是未知的。总的来说，我的NSERC研究项目旨在阐明支持这一基本认知现象的神经机制和结构。特别是，我将与我的HQP团队合作，追求三个主要目标。首先，我将阐明特定类型的内部注意力背后的神经机制。虽然我以前的研究确立了内部注意的时空动力学，但没有考虑到它的异质性。因此，目前的提议将是第一个揭示支持不同类型内部注意的神经机制。其次，我将确立默认网络子系统在内部关注中的关键作用。我最近的工作表明，额顶控制网络的组成部分是有因果关系的；然而，默认网络子系统的因果作用仍然未知。第三，我将使用机器学习和EEG测量，在生态有效的范例中实时预测内部注意力状态。这将是第一次使用自然刺激和电生理测量来实时检测内部注意力的研究。为了实现这些目标，我将采用几种方法。建议的研究主要依靠脑电(EEG)记录和先进的信号处理技术。它们还涉及神经心理学方法，以确定内部注意所必需的神经底物的因果相关性，以及使用颅内脑电的神经外科方法。这是认知神经科学中一种新兴的方法论，其特点是具有良好的空间和时间分辨率，对于阐明内部注意的神经动力学非常重要。此外，拟议的研究需要先进的统计技术，包括线性混合效应模型分析和基于簇的排列测试。这种独特的方法组合将为我的总部人员提供绝佳的机会，让他们掌握关键技能，帮助他们在未来的职位上脱颖而出。我提议的研究将对开发一个解释内部注意力的神经生理学基础的理论模型至关重要，从而巩固加拿大作为注意力神经科学研究的主要贡献者的地位。该计划最终将推动优化注意力控制的工具的开发，这将使加拿大人在教育和职业环境中受益。