Abstract

F. Baluch, L. Itti, Mechanisms of Top-Down Attention, Trends in Neurosciences, Vol. 34, pp. 210-224, March 2011. [2010 impact factor: 13.320] (Cited by 571)

Abstract: Attention exhibits characteristic neural signatures in brain regions that process sensory signals. An important area of future research is to understand the nature of top-down signals that facilitate attentional guidance towards behaviorally relevant locations and features. In this review, we discuss recent studies that have made progress towards understanding: (i) the brain structures and circuits involved in attentional allocation; (ii) top-down attention pathways, particularly as elucidated by microstimulation and lesion studies; (iii) top-down modulatory influences involving subcortical structures and reward systems; (iv) plausible substrates and embodiments of top-down signals; and (v) information processing and theoretical constraints that might be helpful in guiding future experiments. Understanding top-down attention is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms by which we can filter sensory information to pay attention to the most behaviorally relevant events.

Note: Front cover of journal, April 2011; Ranked No. 1 TiNS most downloaded articles in 2011.

Themes: Model of Top-Down Attentional Modulation, Model of Bottom-Up Saliency-Based Visual Attention, Human Psychophysics, Computational Modeling, Functional Neuroimaging, Human Eye-Tracking Research, Monkey Electrophysiology