Attentional tracking reduces cortical alpha oscillations.

ABSTRACT: The premotor theory of attention suggests that both overt and covert attentional orienting are governed by similar mechanisms and neural structures, a concept extensively investigated in paradigms involving shifts in attention and gaze towards peripheral targets. Previous studies have found a strong link between cortical alpha oscillations and overt smooth pursuit of a target. However, the relationship between alpha oscillations and covert tracking of peripheral moving stimuli remains unclear. To address this, we asked 16 observers to maintain fixation while covertly attending to a visual stimulus moving along the horizontal meridian at varying speeds (2, 6, or 12 °/s), within either the left or right hemifield. We simultaneously recorded both eye movements and EEG data. Our results reveal

SUBMITTER: Songlin Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12484826 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature