Preparatory allocation of attention and adjustments in conflict processing

Abstract

Attentional control involves the ability to allocate preparatory attention to improve subsequent stimulus processing and response selection. There is behavioral evidence to support the hypothesis that increased expectancy of stimulus and response conflict may decrease the subsequent experience of conflict during task performance. We used a cued Flanker and event-related fMRI design to separate processes involved in preparation from those involved in resolving conflict, and to identify the brain systems involved in these processes as well as the association between preparatory activity levels and activity related to subsequent conflict processing. Our results demonstrate that preparatory attentional allocation following a cue to the upcoming level of conflict is mediated by a network involving Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) and the Intraparietal Sulcus (IPS). Informed preparation for conflict processing was associated with decreased Anterior Cingulate Cortex/preSupplementary Motor Area (ACC/preSMA) and IPS activity during the flanker target presentation, supporting their roles in conflict processing and visuospatial attention during the flanker task. Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex/Orbitofrontal Cortex (VLPFC/OFC) was active when specific strategic task rule and outcome information was available.

Anticipatory Activity in Anterior Cingulate Cortex Can Be Independent of Conflict and Error Likelihood

“…However, unlike what we observed, Luks et al (2007) did not find anticipatory ACC activity in response to the informative cues. The authors argued that the flanker task involves stimulus conflict rather than response conflict (but see Sanders and Lamers, 2002).…”

“…In a previous study, Luks et al (2007) used cues to inform participants about upcoming Eriksen flanker conditions. However, unlike what we observed, Luks et al (2007) did not find anticipatory ACC activity in response to the informative cues.…”

Defining functional areas in individual human brains using resting functional connectivity MRI

“…the application of the name "dorsolateral prefrontal cortex" in Kerns et al (Kerns, 2006) and Luks et al (Luks et al, 2007)). However, without the availability of more precise regional definitions, this common practice is unavoidable in order to have a common descriptive language.…”

Relationship between trait anxiety, prefrontal cortex, and attention bias to angry faces in children and adolescents

“…Furthermore, Phillips et al (2003) proposed that ventral regions of the PFC are involved in identifying the emotional significance of stimuli and automatic regulation of emotional responses, and dorsal regions of the PFC are important for executive functions such as attentional control of emotional stimuli, planning, and effortful regulation of affective states. Other researchers have corroborated that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is involved in allocation of attentional resources and cognitive control processes (Egner & Hirsch, 2005;Kerns, Cohen, MacDonald, Cho, Stenger, & Carter, 2004;Luks, Simpson, Dale, & Hough, 2007;MacDonald, Cohen, Stenger, & Carter, 2000). While there is growing research on the relationship between individual differences in attention responses to threat, PFC function, and anxiety in the normal population, little is known about these relationships in normal youth.…”

“…Second, trait anxiety would be related to neural responses associated with the attention bias for angry faces, as reflected by the contrast between the angry-incongruent and angry-congruent conditions. This contrast allows us to examine attention allocation and cognitive control, which has been associated with DLPFC engagement (Luks et al, 2007;MacDonald et al, 2000;Phillips et al, 2003). Specifically, if a person has an attention bias to threat and the probe appears in the opposite location (i.e.…”