Neural bases of selective attention in action video game players

Abstract

Over the past few years, the very act of playing action video games has been shown to enhance several different aspects of visual selective attention. Yet little is known about the neural mechanisms that mediate such attentional benefits. A review of the aspects of attention enhanced in action game players suggests there are changes in the mechanisms that control attention allocation and its efficiency (Hubert-Wallander et al., 2010). The present study used brain imaging to test this hypothesis by comparing attentional network recruitment and distractor processing in action gamers versus non-gamers as attentional demands increased. Moving distractors were found to elicit lesser activation of the visual motion-sensitive area (MT/MST) in gamers as compared to non-gamers, suggestive of a better early filtering of irrelevant information in gamers. As expected, a fronto-parietal network of areas showed greater recruitment as attentional demands increased in non-gamers. In contrast, gamers barely engaged this network as attentional demands increased. This reduced activity in the fronto-parietal network that is hypothesized to control the flexible allocation of top-down attention is compatible with the proposal that action game players may allocate attentional resources more automatically, possibly allowing more efficient early filtering of irrelevant information.

What Brain Imaging Reveals About the Nature of Multitasking

“…Interestingly, cognitive neuroscience has shown that the brain bases of skilled performance in these two groups are not so different: both experienced pilots and trained/experienced gamers show evidence of greater neural efficiency when operating simulated aviation tasks and playing first-person action games, respectively. Bavelier et al (2011), as discussed above, showed that as task attentional demands increased, skilled gamers showed less activation in a network of task-related areas (superior frontal sulcus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, cingulum, and intraparietal sulcus) in comparison to non-gamers. Peres et al (2000), in a study of novice and experienced pilots showed that with increasing task difficulty (increasing airspeed), expert pilots showed reduced activity in visual and motor centers of the brain.…”

“…The attractive and positive features of videogaming with its inherent multitasking may provide a foundation for developing new instructional techniques. Bavelier et al (2011) identified the neural bases of improved selective attention in action videogame players, indicating which processes became more efficient. As distracters and attentional demands increased, skilled gamers showed less activation of visual areas and of a frontal-parietal network of areas (superior frontal sulcus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, cingulum, and intraparietal sulcus) in comparison to nongamers.…”

“…As distracters and attentional demands increased, skilled gamers showed less activation of visual areas and of a frontal-parietal network of areas (superior frontal sulcus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, cingulum, and intraparietal sulcus) in comparison to nongamers. Because gamers recruit fewer cortical resources (showed greater neural efficiency) during game playing (without trading away accuracy), the authors argue that gamers are able to free up additional processing resources (Bavelier et al, 2011). The increased neural efficiency of gamers was associated with more effective pattern recognition and executive skills across a range of tasks.…”

“…Whereas skilled pilots efficiently recruited brain areas involved in processes pertinent to dealing with the increase in task difficulty (visual working memory, selective attention, and decision-making), novice pilots showed a general increase in brain activation that suggests less effective allocation of mental resources. Because experienced gamers and pilots recruit fewer cortical resources during the game playing and operation of a simulator, the authors argue that these experienced participants were are able to free up additional processing resources (Bavelier et al, 2011). Skilled pilots and experienced gamers alike are more efficient in their use of cortical resources.…”

Language experience and the brain: variability, neuroplasticity, and bilingualism

“…Experiences as varied as driving a taxi cab, playing a musical instrument, physical exercise, or playing video games change the brain both functionally and structurally (e.g. Bavelier, Achtman, Mani, & Föcker, 2012;Erickson et al, 2011;Herholz & Zatorre, 2012;Maguire et al, 2000). In this context, it should come as no surprise that a life in two languages would do the same.…”