ATTENTIONAL CAPACITY--MODULATION BY CEREBRAL DYNAMICS

描述（申请人摘要）：本研究提案审查了 假设我们注意力的局限性可以通过 大脑区域之间的动态互动。 一般来说，研究人员 研究注意力的神经基础决定了 特定的大脑区域执行特定的注意力功能。 比如说， 后顶叶区域与分散注意力有关 从视觉空间的一个特定点。 虽然大多数研究人员 研究注意力的神经基础时， 协调一致的结构，这些结构相互作用的方式 不同的大脑结构调节表现仍然不清楚。 的 本提案中的研究将通过以下方式解决这一重要缺陷： 提出这是大脑区域之间的动力学，而不是 由大脑区域执行的特定处理， 注意力功能的各个方面。 特别是，该提案将 研究大脑和大脑之间的动态相互作用 大脑半球对注意力功能有着深远的影响， 动态调节系统的容量。 将处理划分为 当处理负荷高或者 由于信息分散， 穿过一大片神经空间。 相反，这种分散 当处理负荷较轻或当 必须处理补充信息。 设计了三个系列的实验来系统地评估这一点 假说. 第一系列的实验测试是否分裂 大脑半球之间的信息处理将提高处理能力， 必须有选择地注意刺激的某些属性， 忽略其他属性。 第二系列实验测试 大脑两半球之间的处理分工是否会降低 干扰和促进在两个常见的注意范式： Stroop范式和Navon全局/局部范式。 第三系列 实验测试是否有能力同时执行两项任务 当两个任务中的一个需要在 两个半球都没有的时候相比。 成果的 这些研究不仅会扩展我们对神经认知基础的理解， 但也将为未来的研究提供基础， 可以测试的假设，注意力缺陷，在某些临床 胼胝体功能障碍的人群，如精神分裂症患者，与 大脑半球动力学的损伤

DESCRIPTION (Applicant's Abstract): This research proposal examines the hypothesis that limitations on our attentional abilities can be modified by dynamic interactions between brain regions. Typically, researchers examining the neural bases of attention determine the manner in which specific brain regions perform certain attentional functions. For example, posterior parietal regions have been implicated in disengaging attention from a particular point in visual space. Although most researchers examining the neural basis of attention conceive of it as a network of structures working in concert, the manner in which the interplay of these various brain structures modulates performance remains unspecified. The research in this proposal will address this important shortcoming by proposing that it is the dynamics between brain regions, rather than the specific processing performed by brain regions, that influences certain aspects of attentional functioning. In particular, the proposal will examine the hypothesis that dynamic interactions between the cerebral hemispheres have profound effects on attentional functioning because these dynamics modulate the capacity of the system. Dividing processing across the hemispheres is proposed to be useful when processing load is high or when competing information is present because information is dispersed across a large expanse of neural space. In contrast, this dispersal of processing is detrimental when the processing load is light or when complementary information must be processed. Three series of experiments are designed to systematically evaluate this hypothesis. The first series of experiments tests whether division of processing across the hemispheres will increase processing capacity when attention must be paid selectively to certain attributes of a stimulus while other attributes are ignored. The second series of experiments tests whether a division of processing across the hemispheres reduces both interference and facilitation in two common attentional paradigms: the Stroop paradigm and the Navon global/local paradigm. The third series of experiments tests whether the ability to simultaneously perform two tasks increases when one of the two tasks requires continuous interaction between the hemispheres as compared to when neither do. The outcome of these studies will not only expand our understanding of the neurocognitive bases of attention but will also provide the foundation for future studies that can test the hypothesis that attentional deficits in certain clinical populations with callosal dysfunction, such as schizophrenics, are linked to impairments in hemispheric dynamics.