Principal Investigator: dr Dariusz Asanowicz

Attention has been described as a set of three neural networks that constitute cognitive systems of attention and control three functions, alerting, orienting, and executive control. A large number of studies have supported this framework and shown that the three networks are relatively independent from each other both functionally and neuroanatomically. Nevertheless, this does not imply that these networks work completely independently from each other. On the contrary, they have been shown to interact in accomplishing various cognitive tasks and actions. However, the networks work together in a way, which we still do not understand. The present project aims to investigate the brain mechanisms of those interrelations and interactions between attentional networks. We have put forward several hypotheses and research questions on influences of alerting and orienting on the efficiency of executive network in resolution of conflicts, on influences of alerting on orienting network, and on proactive modulations exerted by executive network on alerting and orienting networks.

To measure the functioning and interactions of alerting, orienting, and executive attention, we use several variations of an experimental task called the attention network test (ANT). When participants perform the ANT we measure the brain electrical activity with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and the brain neural activation with a new optical imaging technique called the functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Next, to infer the cognitive and brain mechanisms of attention, we analyze behavioral indices of the three attentional networks (calculated from response times and error rates), event related electrophysiological potentials (ERPs), connectivity and information flow between different brain regions, and activations of brain areas involved in specific attentional operations.
An innovative, modern approach that combines behavioral, electrophysiology, and imaging methods is crucial for further development of research on attention. We believe that the results of this project may help to link those levels of analysis into an overall cumulative account of attention and make thereby a valuable contribution to the progress and development of this research field.