Distractibility and impulsivity neural states are distinct from selective attention and modulate the implementation of spatial attention.

ABSTRACT: In the context of visual attention, it has been classically assumed that missing the response to a target or erroneously selecting a distractor occurs as a consequence of the (miss)allocation of attention in space. In the present paper, we challenge this view and provide evidence that, in addition to encoding spatial attention, prefrontal neurons also encode a distractibility-to-impulsivity state. Using supervised dimensionality reduction techniques in prefrontal neuronal recordings in monkeys, we identify two partially overlapping neuronal subpopulations associated either with the focus of attention or overt behaviour. The degree of overlap accounts for the behavioral gain associated with the good allocation of attention. We further describe the neural variability accounting for distracti

SUBMITTER: Amengual JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9378734 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature