Prefrontal attentional saccades explore space rhythmically

Nat Commun. 2020 Feb 17;11(1):925. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-14649-7.

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that attention samples space rhythmically through oscillatory interactions in the frontoparietal network. How these attentional fluctuations coincide with spatial exploration/displacement and exploitation/selection by a dynamic attentional spotlight under top-down control is unclear. Here, we show a direct contribution of prefrontal attention selection mechanisms to a continuous space exploration. Specifically, we provide a direct high spatio-temporal resolution prefrontal population decoding of the covert attentional spotlight. We show that it continuously explores space at a 7-12 Hz rhythm. Sensory encoding and behavioral reports are increased at a specific optimal phase w/ to this rhythm. We propose that this prefrontal neuronal rhythm reflects an alpha-clocked sampling of the visual environment in the absence of eye movements. These attentional explorations are highly flexible, how they spatially unfold depending both on within-trial and across-task contingencies. These results are discussed in the context of exploration-exploitation strategies and prefrontal top-down attentional control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Alpha Rhythm / physiology
  • Animals
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Behavior Observation Techniques
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Cues
  • Haplorhini
  • Markov Chains
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology*
  • Saccades / physiology*
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis