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The neural mechanisms of top-down attentional control

Nature Neuroscience volume 3, pages 284–291 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Selective visual attention involves dynamic interplay between attentional control systems and sensory brain structures. We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a cued spatial-attention task to dissociate brain activity related to attentional control from that related to selective processing of target stimuli. Distinct networks were engaged by attention-directing cues versus subsequent targets. Superior frontal, inferior parietal and superior temporal cortex were selectively activated by cues, indicating that these structures are part of a network for voluntary attentional control. This control biased activity in multiple visual cortical areas, resulting in selective sensory processing of relevant visual targets.

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Figure 1: Stimuli and timing.
Figure 2: Activity related to attentional control.
Figure 3: Activity related to target processing.
Figure 4: Significant differences between cue and target processing.
Figure 5: Selective processing of target stimuli and retinotopy (single subject).
Figure 6: Selective attention-related activations to targets and cues (group data).

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (MH55714 and MH57138) and Human Frontier Science Program to G.R.M., and a National Science Foundation fellowship to J.B.H. We thank Neva Corrigan for assistance in collecting the MRI data, Jeff Maxwell for assistance in collecting the EOG data, Karl Friston and Christian Buechel for advice regarding the event-related fMRI analyses and Kevin LaBar, Kevin Wilson, Barry Geisbrecht, Marty Woldorff, Daniel Weissman, Steven Hillyard and Tamara Swaab for comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Neuroscience and Department of Psychology One Shields Ave., University of California, Davis, Davis, 95616, California, USA

    J. B. Hopfinger

  2. Department of Radiology, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4701 X St., Sacramento, 95817, California, USA

    M. H. Buonocore

  3. Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, LSRC Bldg., Rm. B203, Duke University, Durham, 27708, North Carolina, USA

    G. R. Mangun

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  1. J. B. Hopfinger
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  3. G. R. Mangun
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Correspondence to G. R. Mangun.

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Hopfinger, J., Buonocore, M. & Mangun, G. The neural mechanisms of top-down attentional control. Nat Neurosci 3, 284–291 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/72999

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