Salient distractors open the door of perception: alpha desynchronization marks sensory gating in a working memory task.

ABSTRACT: Focusing attention on relevant information while ignoring distracting stimuli is essential to the efficacy of working memory. Alpha- and theta-band oscillations have been linked to the inhibition of anticipated and attentionally avoidable distractors. However, the neurophysiological background of the rejection of task-irrelevant stimuli appearing in the focus of attention is not fully understood. We aimed to examine whether theta and alpha-band oscillations serve as an indicator of successful distractor rejection. Twenty-four students were enrolled in the study. 64-channel EEG was recorded during a modified Sternberg working memory task where weak and strong (salient) distractors were presented during the retention period. Event-related spectral perturbation in the alpha frequency band was

SUBMITTER: Fodor Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7645677 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature