QBI Neuroscience Seminar: 'The role of neural oscillations in human visual attention and awareness'
Event Details
Event Contact
Event Description
- Full Description:
- Anthony Harris, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland
Title: 'The role of neural oscillations in human visual attention and awareness'
Abstract:
Allocation of human visual attention is robustly associated with a decrease in the amplitude of ~10 Hz ‘alpha’ oscillations in cortical regions representing the attended location. However, studies of this association have almost exclusively examined situations in which attention is voluntarily allocated to a particular location. Aside from voluntary allocation, behavioural studies have produced evidence for a range of mechanisms by which attention can be allocated. The role of neural oscillations in these other forms of attentional allocation is currently unknown. Here I will present work examining whether oscillations in the alpha band (and others) are associated with three previously unexamined aspects of attention; the involuntary capture of spatial attention by stimuli that possess goal-relevant properties; automatic attentional allocation associated with awareness of non-salient and goal-irrelevant stimuli; and the detection and processing of stimuli at unattended locations. The results of these studies show alpha oscillations are involved in both voluntary and involuntary attentional allocation, suggesting alpha oscillations may underlie a general mechanism of spatial attention. Processing of stimuli at unattended locations, by comparison, seems to be mediated by lower frequency oscillations, suggesting visual stimulus processing may involve interactions of sampling processes at a number of different frequencies.
Directions to UQ
Event Tools
Share This Event
Print
Email
Share
Rate This Event
Tweet This Event
Calendar Tools
Featured Calendars
Subscribe via RSS