Cited by 356Neural dynamics and brain functionVisual perception and processing mechanismsVisual Attention and Saliency Detection

A Dynamic Interplay within the Frontoparietal Network Underlies Rhythmic Spatial Attention

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Fiebelkorn, Ian C., Pinsk, Mark A., Kastner, Sabine·2018·Neuron

Abstract

Classic studies of spatial attention assumed that its neural and behavioral effects were continuous over time. Recent behavioral studies have instead revealed that spatial attention leads to alternating periods of heightened or diminished perceptual sensitivity. Yet, the neural basis of these rhythmic fluctuations has remained largely unknown. We show that a dynamic interplay within the macaque frontoparietal network accounts for the rhythmic properties of spatial attention. Neural oscillations characterize functional interactions between the frontal eye fields (FEF) and the lateral intraparietal area (LIP), with theta phase (3-8 Hz) coordinating two rhythmically alternating states. The first is defined by FEF-dominated beta-band activity, associated with suppressed attentional shifts, and LIP-dominated gamma-band activity, associated with enhanced visual processing and better behavioral performance. The second is defined by LIP-specific alpha-band activity, associated with attenuated visual processing and worse behavioral performance. Our findings reveal how network-level interactions organize environmental sampling into rhythmic cycles.

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  • Fronto-parietal theta appears to set a clocking rhythm for oscillations at other frequencies such as alpha during rhythmic alternations between attention and ignoring, a phenomenon referred to as theta-dependent perceptual sampling.

    “Recent evidence has shown that fronto-parietal theta appears to set a clocking rhythm for oscillations at other frequencies such as alpha during rhythmic alternations between attention and ignoring—a phenomenon referred to as “theta-dependent” perceptual sampling87.”

    From Paying attention to attention in depression (2019) · cites this paper as [87]

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Authors
Fiebelkorn, I. C., Pinsk, M. A., & Kastner, S.
Affiliations
Princeton University (US)
Corresponding author
Fiebelkorn, Ian C.
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-08
Volume
99
Issue
4
Pages
842-853.e8
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2888110720
Cited by
356
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 42 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 41 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 52 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 10
FWCI
21.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • NEI (F32EY023465, RO1EY017699, R21EY023565)
  • NIMH (R01MH064063)
  • Silvio O. Conte Center (1P50MH109429-01A1)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Visual Attention and Saliency Detection
Keywords
spatial attention, frontoparietal network, frontal eye field, lateral intraparietal area, neural oscillations, theta phase, beta activity, gamma oscillations, alpha activity, attentional shift, macaque, visual processing
MeSH terms
Action Potentials, Animals, Attention, Frontal Lobe, Macaca fascicularis, Male, Nerve Net, Parietal Lobe, Photic Stimulation, Psychomotor Performance, Theta Rhythm

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