Posner et Peterson Paper

First concept of attention system

anatomically separate from processing systems and decision making

Second concept of attention system

utilizes a network of anatomical regions

Third concept of attention system

anatomical areas carry out different functions

Moruzzi & Magoun (1949)

role of the brain stem reticular system in maintaining alertness

concept of arousal evolved since Moruzzi & Magoun’s work

divided into more differentiated components as neuromodulatory systems of the brain stem and thalamus

main focus of arousal research?

Producing and maintaining optimal vigilance and performance during tasks (alertness)

phasic alertness

temporary increase in alertness produced by a warning signal before a target event.

warning signal affect reaction time

improves reaction time by speeding orienting and responding, not info

tonic alertness

Long-term fluctuations in alertness, studied via circadian rhythms or sustained vigilance tasks

circadian rhythms affect tonic alertness

Reaction times slowest early morning, improve during the day, worsen at night, and peak again early morning; linked to body temperature and cortisol.

vigilance task rely on which hemisphere

right cerebral cortex

orienting network

prioritizing sensory input

focus on visual selection

frontal and parietal areas (FEF)

executive network

focal attention from aCC and regulation of processing networks

alerting system neuromodulator

norepinephrine

what blocks NE release

guanfacine and clonodine

NE pathway

frontal cortex and parietal areas

drugs that affect Ach

affect orienting but not alerting

contingent negative variation

negative shift in scalp EEG due to warning signal

arises from ACC

hemispheres for both phasic and tonic alerting

right

temporal effects which hemisphere mostly

left

Dorsal system

FEF and IPS

rapid and top-down attention

ventral system

TPJ and ventral frontal cortex

interrupt signal for switching attention for miscues

covert attention vs overt saccades

similar areas, overlaping FEF populations for covert vs overt attention

Cholinergic system

ACh, forebrain, parietal lobe

critical for orienting

Lesions in parietal

impair shifting attention

Ventral network responds to

sensory events

attention is 

modality specific, sources of control are common

adding more items toa scene

reduces firing to target stimuli and attention reduces interference from competing stimuli

Conflict monitoring model

ACC monitors conflict → lateral frontal resolves

3 signal types in executive control

transient, sustained, performance feedback

Transient signals

at start of task block

Sustained signals

across trials

Performance feedback signals

correct vs. incorrect trials