==OUTLINE== 

 Definition / Basics 

 *Definition of Attention: “The state of selectively processing simultaneous sources of information” 

 *Attention control refers to an individual’s capacity to choose what they ignore and what they pay attention to. 

 *Similar terms: endogenous attention, executive attention 

 *Mainly mediated by the frontal areas of the brain, including the anterior cingulate cortex. 

 *Related to working memory (and other executive functions). 

 Development 

 Infancy 

 *How attention control develops?! 

 Childhood 

 *1. How it changes?! 

 Adulthood?! 

 **Any changes / problems associated with adulthood? 

 How is Attention Directed? 

 Pulvinar Nucleus of the Thalamus? 

 Attention and Eye movements 

 *Frontal eye field (FEFs) 

 *Direct connections with areas V2, V3, V4, MT and parietal cortex (all known to be influenced by attention 

 *FEF stimulation mimics physiological and behavioral effects of attention 

 Physiological Effects of Attention 

 *fMRI imaging of attention to location 

 *Enhancements in detection and reaction time are selective for spatial location 

 *Brain activity patterns shift retinotopically 

 PET imaging of attention to features 

 *Visual attention can be moved independently of eye position 

 *Used to indicate where neurons activate for different visual patterns 

 *Different areas of the cortex are involved with different types of stimuli (shape, color, motion) 

 Parietal Cortex 

 Receptive Field changes in area V4 

 Abnormal Development?! 

 *ADD / ADHD 

 *Autism 

 *Anxiety 

 *Down Syndrome 

 *Memory? / any problems with this? 

 Treatment 

 * The treatment section will discuss comorbidity, as many individuals with attentional control issues also experience other difficulties. While treatment for this condition is not a widely popular research topic, this section will briefly review what is currently available for those affected; discussing the drugs that stimulate targeted receptors. It will state side effects of the treatment and how the treatment specifically targets the problem areas. It will also look at future research, such as the idea that the circuitry model will guide treatment development of deficits in attentional control, and the use of fMRI and electrophysiological recording techniques will increase.