Functional brain networks for sensory maintenance in top-down selective attention to audiovisual inputs

IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2013 Sep;21(5):734-43. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2013.2272219. Epub 2013 Jul 4.

Abstract

Sensory maintenance in top-down selective attention to audiovisual inputs involves distributed cortical activations, while the connectivity between the widespread cortical regions has not been well understood. Graph theory has been demonstrated to be a useful tool in the analysis of brain networks. In this study, we used graph theoretical analysis to investigate the functional brain networks for sensory maintenance in top-down selective attention to audiovisual inputs. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) of 30 channels were recorded from 13 young healthy subjects during a passive view task and a top-down intersensory selective attention task. Phase synchronization indices of EEG signals in pair were computed to construct weighted brain networks. We found small-world properties of the brain networks during both passive view state and top-down selective attentional state in α, β, and γ bands. In addition, the significantly increased clustering coefficient and decreased characteristic path length were observed for brain networks during attentional state compared with passive view state in both β band and γ band. Our results suggest that functional brain networks in higher frequency bands, i.e., β band and γ band, are integrated in different ways during attentional state compared with passive view state.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation / methods*
  • Algorithms
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Electroencephalography / statistics & numerical data
  • Electroencephalography Phase Synchronization
  • Female
  • Fixation, Ocular
  • Hearing / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Neurological
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Sensation / physiology*
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology
  • Young Adult