scholarly journals Attention recruits frontal cortex in human infants

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (12) ◽  
pp. e2021474118
Author(s):  
Cameron T. Ellis ◽  
Lena J. Skalaban ◽  
Tristan S. Yates ◽  
Nicholas B. Turk-Browne
Keyword(s):  
Brain Regions ◽  
First Year ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Attention Networks ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
Child Friendly ◽  
Attentional Cuing ◽  
Infant Attention ◽  
The Brain

Young infants learn about the world by overtly shifting their attention to perceptually salient events. In adults, attention recruits several brain regions spanning the frontal and parietal lobes. However, it is unclear whether these regions are sufficiently mature in infancy to support attention and, more generally, how infant attention is supported by the brain. We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 24 sessions from 20 awake behaving infants 3 mo to 12 mo old while they performed a child-friendly attentional cuing task. A target was presented to either the left or right of the infant’s fixation, and offline gaze coding was used to measure the latency with which they saccaded to the target. To manipulate attention, a brief cue was presented before the target in three conditions: on the same side as the upcoming target (valid), on the other side (invalid), or on both sides (neutral). All infants were faster to look at the target on valid versus invalid trials, with valid faster than neutral and invalid slower than neutral, indicating that the cues effectively captured attention. We then compared the fMRI activity evoked by these trial types. Regions of adult attention networks activated more strongly for invalid than valid trials, particularly frontal regions. Neither behavioral nor neural effects varied by infant age within the first year, suggesting that these regions may function early in development to support the orienting of attention. Together, this furthers our mechanistic understanding of how the infant brain controls the allocation of attention.

scholarly journals Attention recruits frontal cortex in human infants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. T. Ellis ◽  
L. J. Skalaban ◽  
T. S. Yates ◽  
N. B. Turk-Browne
Keyword(s):  
Brain Regions ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
First Year ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Attention Networks ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
Child Friendly ◽  
Attentional Cuing ◽  
Infant Attention

Young infants learn about the world by overtly shifting their attention to perceptually salient events. In adults, attention recruits several brain regions spanning the frontal and parietal lobes. However, these regions are thought to have a protracted maturation and so it is unclear whether they are recruited in infancy and, more generally, how infant attention is supported by the brain. We used event-related fMRI with 24 awake behaving infants 3–12 months old while they performed a child-friendly attentional cuing task. A target was presented to either the left or right of the infant’s fixation and eye-tracking was used to measure the latency with which they saccaded to the target. To manipulate attention, a brief cue was presented before the target in three conditions: on the same side as the upcoming target (valid), on the other side (invalid), or on both sides (neutral). All infants were faster to look at the target on valid versus invalid trials, with valid faster than neutral and invalid slower than neutral, indicating that the cues effectively captured attention. We then compared the fMRI activity evoked by these trial types. Regions of adult attention networks activated more strongly for invalid than valid trials, particularly frontal regions such as anterior cingulate cortex. Neither behavioral nor neural effects varied by infant age within the first year, suggesting that these regions may function early in development to support the reorienting of attention. Together, this furthers our mechanistic understanding of how the infant brain controls the allocation of attention.

scholarly journals Signal propagation via cortical hierarchies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 1072-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertha Vézquez-Rodríguez ◽  
Zhen-Qi Liu ◽  
Patric Hagmann ◽  
Bratislav Misic
Keyword(s):  
Shortest Paths ◽  
Signal Propagation ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Hierarchical Organization ◽  
Attention Networks ◽  
Diffusion Spectrum Imaging ◽  
Cortical Hierarchy ◽  
Spectrum Imaging ◽  
Structural Networks ◽  
The Brain

The wiring of the brain is organized around a putative unimodal-transmodal hierarchy. Here we investigate how this intrinsic hierarchical organization of the brain shapes the transmission of information among regions. The hierarchical positioning of individual regions was quantified by applying diffusion map embedding to resting-state functional MRI networks. Structural networks were reconstructed from diffusion spectrum imaging and topological shortest paths among all brain regions were computed. Sequences of nodes encountered along a path were then labeled by their hierarchical position, tracing out path motifs. We find that the cortical hierarchy guides communication in the network. Specifically, nodes are more likely to forward signals to nodes closer in the hierarchy and cover a range of unimodal and transmodal regions, potentially enriching or diversifying signals en route. We also find evidence of systematic detours, particularly in attention networks, where communication is rerouted. Altogether, the present work highlights how the cortical hierarchy shapes signal exchange and imparts behaviorally relevant communication patterns in brain networks.

Music, Maestro, Please: Thalamic multisensory integration in music perception, processing and production

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Artur Jaschke
Keyword(s):  
Multisensory Integration ◽  
Music Perception ◽  
Initial Point ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Thalamic Nuclei ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Neural Connections ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
The Brain

Music activates a wide array of brain areas involved in different functions such as   perception, processing and execution of music. Understanding musical processes in the brain has multiple implications in the neuro- and health sciences.  Challenging the brain with a multisensory stimulus such as music activates responses beyond the auditory cortex of the temporal lobe. Other areas that are involved include the frontal lobes, parietal lobes, areas of the limbic system such as the amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus, the cerebellum and the brainstem. Nonetheless, there has been no attempt to summarize all involved brain areas in music into one overall encompassing map. This may well be, as there has been no thorough theory introduced, which would allow an initial point of departure in creating such a mapTherefore, a thorough systematic review has been conducted to identify all mentioned neural connections involved in the perception, processing and execution of music.  Communication between the thalamic nuclei is the initial step in multisensory integration, which lies at the base of the neural networks as proposed in this paper. Against this background, this manuscript introduces the to our knowledge first map of all brain regions involved in the perception, processing and execution of music.Consequently, placing thalamic multisensory integration at the core of this atlas allowed us to create a preliminary theory to explain the complexity of music induced brain activation.

The Neuroscience of Learning Agility

2021 ◽  
pp. 118-142
Author(s):  
Kim E. Ruyle
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Limbic System ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Learning Agility ◽  
Attention Networks ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Brain

“The Neuroscience of Learning Agility” explores the relationship between neurobiology and learning agility. It provides an overview of the organization of the brain, focusing on the roles of the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex and how these particular brain regions relate to personality, executive function, and the metacompetencies of emotional intelligence and learning agility. The neuroscience of learning is discussed, including the brain’s attention networks, neuroplasticity, and biological underpinnings of memory. An argument is posited that the brain’s perceptions of threats directly impacts one’s personality and, by extension, influences one’s level of learning agility. The chapter concludes by providing neuroscience-based suggestions for developing learning agility.

Semantic and Perceptual Processing of Number Symbols: Evidence from a Cross-linguistic fMRI Adaptation Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian D. Holloway ◽  
Christian Battista ◽  
Stephan E. Vogel ◽  
Daniel Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Perceptual Processing ◽  
Numerical Magnitude ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
The Right ◽  
Fmri Adaptation ◽  
The Brain

The ability to process the numerical magnitude of sets of items has been characterized in many animal species. Neuroimaging data have associated this ability to represent nonsymbolic numerical magnitudes (e.g., arrays of dots) with activity in the bilateral parietal lobes. Yet the quantitative abilities of humans are not limited to processing the numerical magnitude of nonsymbolic sets. Humans have used this quantitative sense as the foundation for symbolic systems for the representation of numerical magnitude. Although numerical symbol use is widespread in human cultures, the brain regions involved in processing of numerical symbols are just beginning to be understood. Here, we investigated the brain regions underlying the semantic and perceptual processing of numerical symbols. Specifically, we used an fMRI adaptation paradigm to examine the neural response to Hindu-Arabic numerals and Chinese numerical ideographs in a group of Chinese readers who could read both symbol types and a control group who could read only the numerals. Across groups, the Hindu-Arabic numerals exhibited ratio-dependent modulation in the left IPS. In contrast, numerical ideographs were associated with activation in the right IPS, exclusively in the Chinese readers. Furthermore, processing of the visual similarity of both digits and ideographs was associated with activation of the left fusiform gyrus. Using culture as an independent variable, we provide clear evidence for differences in the brain regions associated with the semantic and perceptual processing of numerical symbols. Additionally, we reveal a striking difference in the laterality of parietal activation between the semantic processing of the two symbols types.

scholarly journals Signal propagation via cortical hierarchies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertha Vázquez-Rodríguez ◽  
Zhen-Qi Liu ◽  
Patric Hagmann ◽  
Bratislav Mišić
Keyword(s):  
Shortest Paths ◽  
Signal Propagation ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Hierarchical Organization ◽  
Attention Networks ◽  
Diffusion Spectrum Imaging ◽  
Cortical Hierarchy ◽  
Spectrum Imaging ◽  
Structural Networks ◽  
The Brain

The wiring of the brain is organized around a putative unimodal-transmodal hierarchy. Here we investigate how this intrinsic hierarchical organization of the brain shapes the transmission of information among regions. The hierarchical positioning of individual regions was quantified by applying diffusion map embedding to resting state functional MRI networks. Structural networks were reconstructed from diffusion spectrum imaging and topological shortest paths among all brain regions were computed. Sequences of nodes encountered along a path were labelled by their hierarchical position, tracing out path motifs. We find that the cortical hierarchy guides communication in the network. Specifically, nodes are more likely to forward signals to nodes closer in the hierarchy and cover a range of unimodal and transmodal regions, potentially enriching or diversifying signals en route. We also find evidence of systematic detours, particularly in attention networks, where communication is re-routed. Altogether, the present work highlights how the cortical hierarchy shapes signal exchange and imparts behaviourally-relevant communication patterns in brain networks.

The Neurobiology of Meditation and Stress Reduction

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew B. Newberg ◽  
David B. Yaden
Keyword(s):  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Functional Neuroimaging ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
Clinical Tools ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Meditative Practices

Meditation is a complex mental process that involves changes in cognition, sensory perception, emotions, hormones, and autonomic activity. Several brain regions are involved in these practices, particularly as they relate to improvements in brain function and psychological parameters, including the thalamus, frontal lobes, limbic system, and parietal lobes. Additionally, many different neurotransmitter systems are likely affected by meditation practices. Meditation programs have become widely used, either alone or combined with other therapies, for stress reduction depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. There has been an increasing understanding of the overall biological mechanism of meditation practices in terms of their effects on both the brain and body. Recent studies using clinical tools and functional neuroimaging have substantially augmented the knowledge of the biology of meditative practices. This chapter reviews current understanding regarding the physiological and neurophysiological effects of meditation practices as they pertain to brain health.

Micro Vascularization of the Cerebral Cortex in Frontal and Parietal Lobes of the Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cunniculus)

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1208-1209
Author(s):  
R.P. Chopard ◽  
C.I. Conegero ◽  
I. Watanabe ◽  
R. Ocaña
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Blood Circulation ◽  
Brain Cortex ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
Blood Circulation System ◽  
The Brain

In order to warrant the blood supply to the nervous system it is necessary an efficient and intact blood circulation system, where the pattern of vascularization is of fundamental importance. In this way, we intend to demonstrate the tridimensional architecture and the pattern of vascularization in the region of the brain cortex of frontal and parietal lobes. There for, our proposal is to study the microvascularization of the rabbit cortex (Oryctologus cuniculus).The studies about blood irrigation of the brain regions are very important to verify the capilar nets and their relations with intensity of blood flux in specified regions of central nervous system.The articles about vascularization that uses models obtained by the injection of aloplastic materials whose viscosity is similar to the blood's that allows the difusion until the capilar net was introduced by Murakami (1971). Lametschwandter et al (1984), studied aspects of corrosion technique to microvascular models.

scholarly journals Early cortical specialization for face-to-face communication in human infants

2008 ◽  
Vol 275 (1653) ◽  
pp. 2803-2811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Grossmann ◽  
Mark H Johnson ◽  
Sarah Lloyd-Fox ◽  
Anna Blasi ◽  
Fani Deligianni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Communication Signals ◽  
Mutual Gaze ◽  
Early Specialization ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Early Human

This study examined the brain bases of early human social cognitive abilities. Specifically, we investigated whether cortical regions implicated in adults' perception of facial communication signals are functionally active in early human development. Four-month-old infants watched two kinds of dynamic scenarios in which a face either established mutual gaze or averted its gaze, both of which were followed by an eyebrow raise with accompanying smile. Haemodynamic responses were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy, permitting spatial localization of brain activation (experiment 1), and gamma-band oscillatory brain activity was analysed from electroencephalography to provide temporal information about the underlying cortical processes (experiment 2). The results revealed that perceiving facial communication signals activates areas in the infant temporal and prefrontal cortex that correspond to the brain regions implicated in these processes in adults. In addition, mutual gaze itself, and the eyebrow raise with accompanying smile in the context of mutual gaze, produce similar cortical activations. This pattern of results suggests an early specialization of the cortical network involved in the perception of facial communication cues, which is essential for infants' interactions with, and learning from, others.

Stories Collectively Engage Listeners’ Brains: Enhanced Intersubject Correlations during Reception of Personal Narratives

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-355
Author(s):  
Clare Grall ◽  
Ron Tamborini ◽  
René Weber ◽  
Ralf Schmälzle
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Personal Narratives ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Control Stimulus ◽  
Audience Engagement ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
Neuroimaging Study ◽  
Language Control ◽  
Mediated Messages ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Audiences’ engagement with mediated messages lies at the center of media effects research. However, the neurocognitive components underlying audience engagement remain unclear. A neuroimaging study was conducted to determine whether personal narratives engage the brains of audience members more than non-narrative messages and to investigate the brain regions that facilitate this effect. Intersubject correlations of brain activity during message exposure showed that listening to personal narratives elicited strong audience engagement as evidenced by robust correlations across participants’ frontal and parietal lobes compared to a nonpersonal control text and a reversed language control stimulus. Thus, personal narratives were received and processed more consistently and reliably within specific brain regions. The findings contribute toward a biologically informed explanation for how personal narratives engage audiences to convey information.

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