Neuronal Dynamics of Visual Attention and Eye Movements

描述（由申请人提供）：视觉注意的神经元相关性通常通过使用单个电极和记录单个神经元的信号来研究。由于单个神经元的放电在不同的试验中差异很大，因此必须对数十次试验的反应进行平均，才能获得精确的测量结果。但是，单神经元方法在注意力研究中存在问题，因为注意力会以不受控制的方式从一个试验转移到另一个试验，当对试验中的数据进行平均计算时，无法捕捉到这种情况。因此，对视觉注意的全面理解需要在更精细的时间尺度（秒或更短）上进行调查，与自然行为的时间过程保持一致。多电极记录的最新进展可以克服使用单神经元记录研究注意力的局限性。这种方法揭示了以前无法测量的注意力动态的新方面。利用这种新发现的时间精度，本研究解决了视觉神经科学中的两个核心问题。首先，我们将确定注意力的转移和眼球运动是否相关联。其次，我们将研究在自然的、不受限制的视觉显示扫描过程中注意力的部署。这两个目标将有助于弥合我们的基础研究知识和翻译知识到临床可行的治疗注意之间的差距。在毫秒的时间尺度上预测和分离眼球运动和视觉注意力的神经元信号的能力是实现这一目标的重要一步。用于在线监测异常注意力的慢性植入物，甚至是用于注意力增强的植入物，都取决于本提案中概述的研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The neuronal correlates of visual attention are typically studied by using a single electrode and recording the signals of individual neurons. Because the firing of a single neuron varies considerably from trial to trial, responses from dozens of trials must be averaged to obtain precise measurements. But the single-neuron approach is problematic for studies of attention because attention drifts from trial-to-trial in uncontrolled ways that are not captured when data are averaged over trials. A comprehensive understanding of visual attention therefore requires investigation at a finer time scale (seconds or less), in keeping with the time course of natural behaviors. Recent advances in multi-electrode recording can overcome the limitations of studying attention using single-neuron recordings. This approach reveals new facets of the dynamics of attention that previously could not be measured. Using this newfound temporal precision, this study addresses two central questions in visual neuroscience. First, we will determine whether shifts in attention and eye movements are coupled. Second, we will investigate the deployment of attention during natural, unrestricted scanning of a visual display. These two aims will help bridge the gap between our basic research knowledge and translation of that knowledge to clinically viable treatments of attention. The ability to predict and dissociate the neuronal signals for eye movements and visual attention at a milliseconds timescale represents a major step towards this goal. Chronic implants for the online monitoring of aberrant attention-or even for attentional enhancement-depend on the research outlined in this proposal.