Spatial attention operates simultaneously on ongoing activity in visual and somatosensory cortex - largely independent of the relevant modality
Markus Bauer, Steffan Kennett, José van Velzen, Martin Eimer, Jon Driver
Poster
Last modified: 2008-05-13
Abstract
Here we extended previous work on crossmodal spatial attention, using MEG in a visual-tactile paradigm.
Covert attention was directed to one side on each trial, via a symbolic central cue, prior to judgement of either only visual or only tactile events on the cued side. In different blocks of trials, either vision or touch was task-relevant. Stimuli on the uncued side and/or in the currently irrelevant modality could be ignored. A single peripheral (tactile or visual) stimulus appeared 800 ms after the central symbolic spatial cue, equiprobably in vision or touch, and equiprobably on the left or right regardless of which side had been cued. In ongoing oscillatory activity we found lateralized effects of attention on activity in the 10-30 Hz range, attributed to somatosensory, parietal and occipital cortex, with enhanced suppression contralateral to the attended side, and less suppression ipsilaterally. These effects peaked shortly before anticipated peripheral stimulus-onset and were found for all regions both when attending vision and when attending touch, providing further information about the potentially supramodal nature of covert spatial attention.
Covert attention was directed to one side on each trial, via a symbolic central cue, prior to judgement of either only visual or only tactile events on the cued side. In different blocks of trials, either vision or touch was task-relevant. Stimuli on the uncued side and/or in the currently irrelevant modality could be ignored. A single peripheral (tactile or visual) stimulus appeared 800 ms after the central symbolic spatial cue, equiprobably in vision or touch, and equiprobably on the left or right regardless of which side had been cued. In ongoing oscillatory activity we found lateralized effects of attention on activity in the 10-30 Hz range, attributed to somatosensory, parietal and occipital cortex, with enhanced suppression contralateral to the attended side, and less suppression ipsilaterally. These effects peaked shortly before anticipated peripheral stimulus-onset and were found for all regions both when attending vision and when attending touch, providing further information about the potentially supramodal nature of covert spatial attention.