Defining the Neural Circuits of Attention Control: A New Hypothesis

项目总结 最近发现的一个假定的注意力控制区表明，在我们的大脑中存在一个根本的差距 对注意控制的神经机制的理解。这一概念差距的存在构成了 一个重要的问题，因为在它被填满之前，我们将无法解释一个关键的认知功能，即灵活的 根据当前的需求和兴趣选择信息，也不适当地处理 请注意。这项研究的长期目标是了解感觉加工和认知控制 机制相互作用，产生智能行为。这项建议的总体目标是决心 支持注意力控制的神经回路的功能组织及其机制 实现这一功能。实验模型利用全脑功能成像 注意的专门化，然后是局部神经过程的有针对性的确定。它允许测试 中央假设，在颞叶中至少有一个区域对内源性控制是关键的 视觉上的注意力。提出这一建议理由是，研究的完成将重新定义内生性 注意控制回路，这与神经学实践直接相关。中心假设将是 通过四个特定的目标进行测试：Aim1将使用全脑功能磁共振成像来确定 (FMRI)和靶向单单位电生理学，视觉注意控制区的功能专门化 并测试内源性注意力由共享相似区域的特定区域集合控制的工作假说 跨物种的组织。目标2将确定控制注意力和测试的总体代码和动态 工作假说认为，颞区和顶区以相似的方式控制注意力焦点，但 差动耦合要把它的表达化为行动。目标3将决定注意控制的网络结构 并检验工作假设，即注意控制的三个区域选择性地相互联系 形成一个完整的注意力控制网络。目标4将确定视觉的神经机制 注意时通过人工激活和失活对感觉区域和行为的注意控制 视觉处理和测试最近发现的颞叶区域施加的工作假设 注意力控制。这种方法是创新的，因为它挑战了人们长期以来对大脑神经回路的看法。 因为它引入了一种新的多模式实验范式，有望改变方法 认知神经科学中的神经系统分析。这项拟议的研究意义重大，因为 一个新的注意控制区的发现和特征将从根本上改变目前的概念 注意力和大脑组织，因为它克服了认知神经科学中的一个关键障碍， 在功能脑组织的大规模研究和确定之间的困难 局部神经机制。该项目与神经学直接相关，预计将产生积极的影响 对半空间忽视等注意控制缺陷的理解、诊断和治疗的影响。

PROJECT SUMMARY The recent discovery of a putative attention control area shows that there is a fundamental gap in our understanding of the neural mechanisms of attentional control. The existence of this conceptual gap constitutes an important problem because, until it is filled, we will not be able to explain a key cognitive function, the flexible selection of information according to current demands and interests, nor to appropriately treat impairments of attention. The long-term goal of this research is to understand how sensory processing and cognitive control mechanisms interact to generate intelligent behavior. The overall objective of this proposal is the determination of the functional organization of the neural circuits supporting attentional control and the mechanisms they are implementing to achieve this function. The experimental model utilizes brain-wide imaging of functional specializations for attention followed by the targeted determination of local neural processes. It allows to test the central hypothesis that there is at least one area in the temporal lobe that is critical for the endogenous control of visual attention. The rationale for this proposal is that completion of the research will re-define endogenous attentional control circuits, which is of direct relevance to neurological practice. The central hypothesis will be tested through four specific aims: Aim1 will determine, using whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and targeted single-unit electrophysiology, the functional specializations of visual attentional control areas and test the working hypothesis that endogenous attention is controlled by specific set of areas sharing a similar organization across species. Aim 2 will determine population codes and dynamics controlling attention and test the working hypothesis that a temporal and a parietal area control the focus of attention in similar ways, yet with differential coupling to its expression into action. Aim 3 will determine the network structure of attentional control areas and test the working hypothesis that the three regions of attentional control are selectively interconnected to form an integrated network of attentional control. Aim 4 will determine the neural mechanisms of visual attentional control over sensory areas and behavior through artificial activation and inactivation during attentive visual processing and test the working hypothesis that a recently discovered temporal lobe area exerts attentional control. The approach is innovative, because it challenges long-held views on the neural circuits of attention and because it introduces a new multi-modal experimental paradigm that promises to shift the approach to neural systems analysis in the cognitive neurosciences. The proposed research is significant, because discovery and characterization of a new attentional control area will fundamentally alter current concepts of attention and brain organization, and because it overcomes a critical barrier in the cognitive neurosciences, the difficulty to bridge between large-scale investigations of functional brain organization with the determination of local neural mechanisms. The project is of direct relevance to neurology and is expected to have a positive impact on the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of attentional control deficits like hemispatial neglect.