Attention Performance Measured by Attention Network Test Is Correlated with Global and Regional Efficiency of Structural Brain Networks

Abstract

Functional neuroimaging studies have indicated the involvement of separate brain areas in three distinct attention systems: alerting, orienting, and executive control (EC). However, the structural correlates underlying attention remains unexplored. Here, we utilized graph theory to examine the neuroanatomical substrates of the three attention systems measured by attention network test (ANT) in 65 healthy subjects. White matter connectivity, assessed with diffusion tensor imaging deterministic tractography was modeled as a structural network comprising 90 nodes defined by the automated anatomical labeling (AAL) template. Linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between topological parameters and the three attentional effects. We found a significant positive correlation between EC function and global efficiency of the whole brain network. At the regional level, node-specific correlations were discovered between regional efficiency and all three ANT components, including dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, thalamus and parahippocampal gyrus for EC, thalamus and inferior parietal gyrus for alerting, and paracentral lobule and inferior occipital gyrus for orienting. Our findings highlight the fundamental architecture of interregional structural connectivity involved in attention and could provide new insights into the anatomical basis underlying human behavior.

Segregation of Brain Structural Networks Supports Spatio-Temporal Predictive Processing

“…Since both the postcentral and the paracentral gyri participate to the network responsible for directing attention to target stimuli, triggered by specific spatial cues ( Petersen and Posner, 2012 ), the patterns of relations among these brain areas and their topological neighbors may sustain cued orienting of attention to spatial locations. The fact that increased connectivity was found in a local network community comprising the right putamen when spatial invalidly cued trials were considered, seems to further confirm the hypothesis that this region is one of the hubs of the intrinsic connectivity networks in resting brain involved in attentional processes ( Xiao et al, 2016 ).…”

The evolution of white matter microstructural changes after mild traumatic brain injury: A longitudinal DTI and NODDI study

“…Abnormal posterior periventricular WM microstructure is also observed in sensory processing disorders (40,17) and is the only consistently affected WM region in a meta-analysis of DTI studies of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (41). Furthermore, the global integrity of the structural connectome is linked to attention and executive function (42). This constellation of recent results may account for the major impairments of concussions and mTBI, which are sensitivity to sensory stimuli, attention deficits, and executive dysfunction.…”

The Evolution of White Matter Changes After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A DTI and NODDI Study

“…Abnormal posterior periventricular white matter microstructure has also been described in sensory processing disorders(Owen 2013; and were the only consistently affected white matter regions in a meta-analysis of DTI studies of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD,Chen et al, 2016). Furthermore, the global integrity of the structural connectome is linked to attention and executive function(Xiao et al, 2016). This constellation of recent results may account for the major impairments of concussions and mTBI, which are sensitivity to sensory stimuli (e.g., to bright lights and loud noises, as also seen in sensory processing disorder), attention deficits and executive dysfunction.…”