Developing brain networks of attention

Abstract

Purpose of Review Attention is a primary cognitive function critical for perception, language, and memory. We provide an update on brain networks related to attention, their development, training and pathologies. Recent Findings An executive attention network, also called the cingulo-opercular network, allows voluntary control of behavior in accordance with goals. Individual differences among children in self regulation have been measured by a higher order factor called effortful control (EC) which is related to executive network and to the size of the anterior cingulate cortex. Summary Brain networks of attention arise in infancy and are related to individual differences including pathology during childhood. Methods of training attention may improve performance and ameliorate pathology.

Nodal Global Efficiency in Front-Parietal Lobe Mediated Periventricular White Matter Hyperintensity (PWMH)-Related Cognitive Impairment

“…The FPN maintains and promotes homeostatic balance across multiple functional networks and serves as a flexible hub according to task demands (Cole et al, 2014). Previous findings showed that both the FPN and CON are related to information processing speed, executive function and attention (Niendam et al, 2012;Posner et al, 2016). The present findings confirmed the association between CI and functional alterations in large-scale brain networks in WMH subjects.…”

Closed-loop digital meditation for neurocognitive and behavioral development in adolescents with childhood neglect

“…Many studies that have investigated the neural correlates of mindfulness meditation in adults show plasticity of the dACC 29 , a key brain region for sustained attentional control 30,31 . Given this, here we hypothesized that particularly the IAI digital meditation training will result in functional plasticity of the dACC.…”

“…adolescent development [11][12][13][14][15][16] , and this region is also important for both sustained attentional control and selfregulation [9][10][11][30][31][32][33][34] . Second, we hypothesized that the digital meditation intervention would impart positive changes in objective measures of sustained attention and interference resolution, and improvement in ADHD behaviors.…”

A protocol for a three-arm cluster randomized controlled superiority trial investigating the effects of two pedagogical methodologies in Swedish preschool settings on language and communication, executive functions, auditive selective attention, socioemotional skills and early maths skills

“…The components of executive functions can hardly be assessed in isolation, since the targeted cognitive process must be embedded in a certain task context that is likely to trigger other executive functions [ 16 ]. Children’s executive functions were therefore assessed using the following battery of tests: 1) The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS), which mainly assesses the child’s cognitive flexibility [ 59 , 60 ], 2) The Flanker Fish Task [ 40 , 61 , 62 ], which mainly assesses the child’s ability to suppress responses that are inappropriate in a particular context, 3) The Head-Shoulders-Knees-and-Toes (HSKT) test [ 63 ], which reflects the child’s ability to inhibit dominant responses of imitating the examiner and also puts high demands on working memory and focused attention, and 4) Forward and Backward Digit Span [ 64 ] which assesses short-term memory and working memory. The DCCS and the Flanker task were delivered via a tablet, but verbal instructions were given by the examiner, since there is no available Swedish-speaking tablet version.…”