PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Evidence suggests that subcortical structures play a role in high-level cognitive functions such as the allocation of spatial attention. While there is abundant evidence in humans for posterior alpha band oscillations being modulated by spatial attention, little is known about how subcortical regions contribute to these oscillatory modulations, particularly under varying conditions of cognitive challenge. In this study, we combined MEG and structural MRI data to investigate the role of subcortical structures in controlling the allocation of attentional resources by employing a cued spatial attention paradigm with varying levels of perceptual load. We asked whether hemispheric lateralization of volumetric measures of the thalamus and basal ganglia predicted the hemispheric modulation of alpha-band power. Lateral asymmetry of the globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, and thalamus predicted attention-related modulations of posterior alpha oscillations. When the perceptual load was applied to the target and the distractor was salient caudate nucleus asymmetry predicted alpha-band modulations. Globus pallidus was predictive of alpha-band modulations when either the target had a high load, or the distractor was salient, but not both. Finally, the asymmetry of the thalamus predicted alpha band modulation when neither component of the task was perceptually demanding. In addition to delivering new insight into the subcortical circuity controlling alpha oscillations with spatial attention, our finding might also have clinical applications. We provide a framework that could be followed for detecting how structural changes in subcortical regions that are associated with neurological disorders can be reflected in the modulation of oscillatory brain activity.
摘要：
有证据表明，皮层下结构在高级认知功能中起作用，例如空间注意力的分配。虽然人类有大量证据表明后α波段振荡是由空间注意力调制的，关于皮质下区域如何促成这些振荡调制，特别是在不同的认知挑战条件下。在这项研究中,我们结合了MEG和结构MRI数据,通过采用具有不同感知负荷水平的提示空间注意力范式,研究了皮质下结构在控制注意力资源分配中的作用.我们询问丘脑和基底神经节的体积测量的半球偏侧化是否可以预测α带功率的半球调制。苍白球的横向不对称，尾状核,和丘脑预测后验α振荡的注意力相关调制。当感知负荷被施加到目标上并且牵张器是显着的尾状核不对称性时，可以预测α带调制。当任一目标具有高负载时，苍白球可以预测α带调制，或者分心者很突出，但不是两者都有。最后,当任务的两个组成部分都没有感知要求时，丘脑的不对称性预测了α带调制。除了提供对皮层下电路的新见解，用空间注意力控制阿尔法振荡，我们的发现也可能具有临床应用价值.我们提供了一个框架，可用于检测与神经系统疾病相关的皮层下区域的结构变化如何反映在振荡脑活动的调节中。
