Cortico-cortical interactions in spatial attention: A combined ERP/TMS study

J Neurophysiol. 2006 May;95(5):3277-80. doi: 10.1152/jn.01273.2005. Epub 2006 Jan 25.

Abstract

To gain insight into the neural basis of visual attention, we combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and event-related potentials (ERPs) during a visual search task. Single-pulse TMS over right posterior parietal cortex (rPPC) delayed response times to targets during conjunction search, and this behavioral effect had a direct ERP correlate. The early phase of the N2pc component that reflects the focusing of attention onto target locations in a search display was eliminated over the right hemisphere when TMS was applied there but was present when TMS was delivered to a control site (vertex). This finding demonstrates that rPPC TMS interferes with attentional selectivity in remote visual areas.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual / physiology*
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual / radiation effects
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Reaction Time / radiation effects
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*