Spike rates of frontal eye field neurons predict reaction times in a spatial attention task.

ABSTRACT: Which neuronal signal(s) predict reaction times when subjects respond to a target at covertly attended locations? Although recent studies showed that spike rates are not predictive, it remains a highly contested question. Therefore, we record single-unit activity from frontal eye field (FEF) neurons while macaques are performing a covert spatial attention task. We find that the attentional modulation of spike rates of FEF neurons is strongly correlated with behavioral reaction times. Moreover, this correlation already emerges 1 s before target dimming, which triggers the behavioral responses. This prediction of reaction times by spike rates is found in neurons showing attention-dependent enhanced and suppressed activity for targets and distractors, respectively, yet in varying degrees acro

SUBMITTER: Yao T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10157294 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature