Brain connectivity and network properties underlying multisensory attention

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25705021
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Experimental psychology
• Research Institution: National Institute for Physiological Sciences (2014-2015); Waseda University (2013)
• Principal Investigator: Kida Tetsuo 生理学研究所, 統合生理研究系, 特任准教授 (80419861)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 注意 / 多感覚 / 脳磁図

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate multidimensional dynamics of functional properties of the human brain network during performance of a multisensory attention task. Evoked response analysis showed that endogenous spatial attention guided by a visual cue increased auditory-evoked magnetic fields (AEFs) and somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEFs), which were generated in the auditory and secondary somatosensory cortices respectively. Time-frequency analysis showed that alpha and beta oscillations were desynchronized in the hemisphere contralateral to the attended side during attentional control. Graph-theoretical analysis showed that in the alpha network the betweenness centrality was rapidly increased in the prefrontal cortex whereas in the beta network it was increased in the sensorimotor cortex. Thus we revealed multidimensional dynamics of neuronal responses, neuronal oscillations and network properties in a multisensory attention task.

Free Research Field

認知神経科学、生理心理学