Defining the Neural Circuits of Attention Control: A New Hypothesis

项目摘要 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， 理解注意力控制的神经机制。这种概念上的差距构成了 一个重要的问题，因为，直到它被填补，我们将无法解释一个关键的认知功能，灵活的， 根据当前的需求和利益选择信息，也不适当地处理 关注这项研究的长期目标是了解感觉处理和认知控制是如何 机制相互作用以产生智能行为。本提案的总体目标是确定 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。该实验模型利用全脑功能成像， 注意力的专门化，然后是局部神经过程的有针对性的确定。它允许测试 一个中心假设，即颞叶中至少有一个区域对内源性控制至关重要 视觉注意力。提出这一建议的理由是，研究的完成将重新界定内源性 注意力控制回路，这与神经学实践直接相关。核心假设是 通过四个具体目标进行测试：Aim1将使用全脑功能磁共振成像来确定 功能磁共振成像（fMRI）和有针对性的单单位电生理学，视觉注意力控制区的功能专业化 并测试工作假设，即内源性注意力是由一组特定的区域控制的， 跨物种的组织目标2将确定控制注意力和测试的种群代码和动态 工作假设，颞叶和顶叶区域以类似的方式控制注意力的焦点，然而， 微分耦合到它的表达转化为行动。目标3将决定注意力控制的网络结构 区域和测试的工作假设，这三个区域的注意力控制是有选择地相互联系的 形成一个完整的注意力控制网络。目的4将确定视觉的神经机制 在注意力集中的过程中，通过人工激活和去激活对感觉区域和行为的注意控制 视觉处理和测试的工作假设，最近发现的颞叶区域发挥 注意力控制这种方法是创新的，因为它挑战了长期以来对大脑神经回路的看法。 注意，因为它引入了一个新的多模态实验范式，有望改变方法 认知神经科学中的神经系统分析。这项研究意义重大，因为 一个新的注意力控制区域的发现和表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， 难以在大规模的脑功能组织研究与确定 局部神经机制该项目与神经病学直接相关，预计将产生积极的影响。 对理解、诊断和治疗注意力控制缺陷（如半侧空间忽视）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.