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(2009) From attention to goal-directed behavior, Dordrecht, Springer.
Neuronal signatures of selective attention
synchronization and gain modulation as mechanisms for selective sensory information processing
C. Bosman, T. Womelsdorf
pp. 3-28
Voluntary attention selectively enhances the influence of neuronal responses conveying information about relevant sensory attributes. This attentional modulation of sensory responses reflects selective gain changes of sensory spiking response and is accompanied by selective synchronization of those neuronal responses within a local neuronal group which convey information about the attended visual input. While these empirical signatures of selective attention in visual cortex are derived from different levels of analysis (single neurons vs. neuronal groups), they provide complementary insights into the selective modulation of sensory processing in the brain: neurons which are tuned to the spatial and featural attributes of the attended sensory inputs are those which most strongly synchronize within a local neuronal group, while likewise showing the strongest gain change of their spiking response. Both of these neuronal consequences of attention enhance the signal-to-noise ratio for the attended information, but their different roles for selective neuronal processing have not been reconciled. Here, we propose that rhythmic synchronization is the key mechanism underlying the selective gain control within sensory cortex during atten-tional processing. We derive this hypothesis from computational studies and from insights into the physiological mechanisms that impose synchronized oscillatory activity within neuronal groups. In summary, voluntary attention appears to recruit rhythmic neuronal activity to establish a selective gain pattern within visual cortex to ultimately enhance the representation of the attended sensory information.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-70573-4_1
Full citation:
Bosman, C. , Womelsdorf, T. (2009)., Neuronal signatures of selective attention: synchronization and gain modulation as mechanisms for selective sensory information processing, in F. Aboitiz & D. Cosmelli (eds.), From attention to goal-directed behavior, Dordrecht, Springer, pp. 3-28.
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