The topography of visuospatial attention as revealed by a novel visual field mapping technique.

ABSTRACT: Previously, we and others have shown that attention can enhance visual processing in a spatially specific manner that is retinotopically mapped in the occipital cortex. However, it is difficult to appreciate the functional significance of the spatial pattern of cortical activation just by examining the brain maps. In this study, we visualize the neural representation of the "spotlight" of attention using a back-projection of attention-related brain activation onto a diagram of the visual field. In the two main experiments, we examine the topography of attentional activation in the occipital and parietal cortices. In retinotopic areas, attentional enhancement is strongest at the locations of the attended target, but also spreads to nearby locations and even weakly to restricted locations in

SUBMITTER: Brefczynski-Lewis JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2749240 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature