Illuminating the Neural Circuits Underlying Orienting of Attention
Abstract
Human neuroimaging has revealed brain networks involving frontal and parietal cortical areas as well as subcortical areas, including the superior colliculus and pulvinar, which are involved in orienting to sensory stimuli. Because accumulating evidence points to similarities between both overt and covert orienting in humans and other animals, we propose that it is now feasible, using animal models, to move beyond these large-scale networks to address the local networks and cell types that mediate orienting of attention. In this opinion piece, we discuss optogenetic and related methods for testing the pathways involved, and obstacles to carrying out such tests in rodent and monkey populations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 24, 2019
- Source ID
- 10.3390/vision3010004
Entities
People
- Cristopher M Niell
- Michael Posner
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research