Attentional Control Network in fMRI

Questions and Answers

What does the event-related fMRI reveal about the attentional control network?

It is not influenced by attentional directives.

It is delineated by responses to both cues and stimuli. (correct)

It activates only during stimulus processing.

It is solely responsible for directing attention.

Which brain regions are primarily implicated in neglect?

Hippocampus and amygdala

Temporoparietal junction, angular gyrus, and supramarginal gyrus (correct)

Cerebellum and brainstem

Frontal lobe and occipital lobe

What characterizes the areas of the brain involved in attentional control as revealed by the fMRI experiment?

They are selectively active during cue presentation. (correct)

They are activated solely by attentional cues.

They become active only during stimulus presentation.

Their function is independent of attention.

How does the response related to stimulus onset differ from that related to cue onset?

Stimulus onset delineates areas activated by the stimulus and task. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of attention is primarily modulated by the areas activated during stimulus presentation?

Sensory processing attention Signup and view all the answers

What does the delay between cue and stimulus indicate in attentional studies?

Segregation of attentional processes. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about different forms of neglect is accurate?

Different forms correlate with dysfunction in different brain regions. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the attention-directing cue play in the attentional control network?

It initiates responses that define attentional control. Signup and view all the answers

What does feature-based attention primarily refer to?

The ability to attend to specific features across visual space. Signup and view all the answers

How does object-based attention enhance processing?

By ensuring that attention to one part of an object improves processing of the entire object. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the attentional network in sensory processing?

To filter out irrelevant stimuli and enhance processing of relevant ones. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the neurological effects on attention?

Attention can be affected by various types of brain lesions. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes midbrain attentional networks from cortical attentional networks?

They contribute differently to attentional modulation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the premotor theory of attention?

How visual attention is coordinated with motor movements. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes object-based attention?

It enhances the processing of the entire object when focusing on its parts. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of feature-based attention?

It involves distinct brain areas for different features. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by more spikes per unit time in a neuron when its receptive field is covertly attended?

The neuron is more active when attended. Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is specifically associated with motion attention?

MT/V5 Signup and view all the answers

How does attention affect activity in the visual cortex according to the findings?

It modulates activity based on the type of feature attended. Signup and view all the answers

What was the approximate latency of the attention effect after the onset of the moving or color arrays as indicated by MEG measures?

100 ms Signup and view all the answers

What task were subjects asked to perform in the study described?

Press a button representing the indicated feature. Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain was modulated when color was attended?

V4v Signup and view all the answers

What do the reddish yellow blobs in the MRI representation signify?

Areas of significant BOLD signal change. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does object-based attention have on spatial attention?

It enhances spatial attention. Signup and view all the answers

What type of attention is focused on specific stimulus features regardless of their location?

Feature-based attention Signup and view all the answers

In the study involving single-cell electrophysiology, what was primarily measured to assess visual attention?

Firing rates of individual neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of object-based attention?

Directing attention to an entire object Signup and view all the answers

During the experiment, what was the purpose of the cue indicating the location for attention?

To selectively activate the neurons in the receptive field Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the fixation point in the visual attention paradigm?

To provide a reference for visual stability during the task Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when attention is directed away from a neuron’s receptive field?

Altered response patterns in the neuron Signup and view all the answers

What type of attention is less likely to engage bonly focus on features of the stimulus?

Object-based attention Signup and view all the answers

Which areas of the macaque monkeys’ brain were involved in the visual attention study?

Areas V1 and V2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of attention in cognitive processing?

To manage cognitive load by filtering stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Which type of attention is characterized as transient, bottom-up, and automatic?

Exogenous attention Signup and view all the answers

Which model of attention suggests that stimuli are filtered based on their importance before they reach conscious awareness?

Early selection model Signup and view all the answers

In feature-based attention, what does the process primarily focus on?

The specific characteristics of stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between spatial and object-based attention?

Object-based attention can encompass several objects within a location Signup and view all the answers

What role do attentional networks play in attention management?

They integrate multiple cognitive processes for attention regulation Signup and view all the answers

How does the cocktail party effect illustrate divided attention?

By showing that individuals can ignore irrelevant sounds and focus on one conversation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between endogenous and exogenous attention?

Endogenous attention is goal-directed while exogenous is stimulus-driven Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attentional Network Overview

Event-related fMRI identifies the attentional control network through cues directing attention.
A long delay between cue and stimulus helps delineate areas involved in attentional control and stimulus processing.
Cue-related responses indicate attentional mechanisms; stimulus-related responses highlight processing regions.

Attentional Networks and Lesion Effects

Major regions implicated in attentional neglect include the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and angular gyrus.
Different types of neglect correlate with dysfunctions in specific brain regions.

Types of Attention

Voluntary eye movements can be classified into early and late selection processes.
Feature-based attention allows for attendance to specific stimulus attributes (motion, color, shape), represented in distinct brain regions (e.g., motion in MT, color in V4).
Object-based attention facilitates overall object processing, enhancing the processing of unattended parts of objects.

Influence on Sensory Processing

Attention modulates activity in visual cortices; noticeable activity differences occur when attention is applied.
High temporal resolution measures show that attentional effects emerge approximately 100 ms after stimuli onset.

Attentional Theories and Mechanisms

Attention is essential for conscious perception, underpinning the cocktail party effect.
Two main types of attention: exogenous (automatic, bottom-up) and endogenous (voluntary, top-down).

Attention and Perception Relationship

Attention can significantly affect perception and shape conscious visual experiences.
Attentional deficits may arise following brain lesions, demonstrating the importance of various networks in maintaining attentional capabilities.

Experimental Paradigms and Evidence

Spatial cuing paradigms illustrate how attentional cues can enhance performance in task-related contexts.
Single-cell electrophysiology studies provide insights into neural firing patterns in areas like V1 and V2 when attention is directed spatially.

Key Questions on Attention

How does the attentional network engage sensory processing, and is it influenced by different forms of attention?
What distinct networks are involved in midbrain and cortical attentional mechanisms?

Conclusion

Understanding attention encompasses spatial, feature-based, and object-based perspectives, crucial for cognitive neuroscience and practical applications in attentional deficits.

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Description

This quiz explores the methodologies used in event-related fMRI to identify the attentional control network. It addresses the significance of the long delay between cue and stimulus as well as the responses related to cue and stimulus onset. Test your knowledge on the mechanisms underlying attentional processes in the brain.