The relation of brain oscillations to attentional networks
Open accessAbstract
Previous studies have suggested the relation of particular frequency bands such as theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-14 Hz), beta (14-30 Hz), or gamma (>30 Hz) to cognitive functions. However, there has been controversy over which bands are specifically related to attention. We used the attention network test to separate three anatomically defined brain networks that carry out the functions of alerting, orienting, and executive control of attention. High-density scalp electrical recording was performed to record synchronous oscillatory activity and power spectrum analyses based on functional magnetic resonance imaging constrained dipole modeling were conducted for each attentional network. We found that each attentional network has a distinct set of oscillations related to its activity. The alerting network showed a specific decrease in theta-, alpha-, and beta-band activity 200-450 ms after a warning signal. The orienting network showed an increase in gamma-band activity at approximately 200 ms after a spatial cue, indicating the location of a target. The executive control network revealed a complex pattern when a target was surrounded with incongruent flankers compared with congruent flankers. There was an early (<400 ms) increase in gamma-band activity, a later (>400 ms) decrease in beta- and low gamma-band activity after the target onset, and a decrease of all frequency bands before response followed by an increase after the response. These data demonstrate that attention is not related to any single frequency band but that each network has a distinct oscillatory activity and time course.
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The three attentional networks show some behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroanatomical independence.
“These three networks have been shown to have some degree of behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroanatomical independence (Fan et al., 2007; Fan, McCandliss, Sommer, Raz, & Posner, 2002; Fan, McCandliss, Fossella, Flombaum, & Posner, 2005; see Raz & Buhle, 2006, for a recent review).”
From Atypical attentional networks and the emergence of autism (2013) · cites this paper as Fan et al., 2007
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- Authors
- Fan, J., Byrne, J., Worden, M. S., Guise, K. G., McCandliss, B. D., Fossella, J., & Posner, M. I.
- Affiliations
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
- Brown University (US)
- Cornell University (US)
- University of Oregon (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Society for Neuroscience
- Published
- 2007-06-06
- Volume
- 27
- Issue
- 23
- Pages
- 6197-6206
- ISSN
- 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-2401
- PMC
- PMC6672149
- OpenAlex
- W2103368010
- Cited by
- 286
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 10.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation (9907831)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Keywords
- neural oscillations, attentional networks, Attention Network Test, alerting, orienting, executive function, gamma oscillations, beta activity, theta activity, alpha activity, high-density EEG, flanker task, spatial cueing, warning signs
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Attention, Biological Clocks, Brain, Evoked Potentials, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Nerve Net, Photic Stimulation, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time
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