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

一方面，神经元对大量输入信息的处理可以被有意地改变，例如通过定向注意定向到空间中的一个位置（空间）或某种颜色（基于特征）。另一方面，神经元的处理受到感觉输入的性质的影响，例如，当竞争刺激需要不同的反应时，必须决定正确的反应。到目前为止，这两个过程（注意力定向，冲突处理由于竞争刺激）的相互作用主要是在行为水平上进行检查。在本项目中，我们的特点是空间（实验1）和基于特征（实验2）的注意取向的兼容，不兼容和中性任务无关的刺激在神经元水平上的详细加工的影响。因此，可以收集关于人脑中干扰控制机制的功能的新见解。在这两个实验中，磁共振断层扫描以及电生理数据被收集，并受益于这两种方法的互补优势（良好的空间/时间分辨率），各自的数据被送入一个共同的分析。通过比较两个实验的结果，可以澄清是否空间和基于特征的注意是由相同的干扰控制机制。

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.