Periodic attention operates faster during more complex visual search

Merholz, Garance; Grabot, Laetitia; VanRullen, Rufin; Dugué, Laura

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-10647-5

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 96 publications

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“…Other studies suggested that the frequency of rhythmic sampling may depend on different factors, such as task difficulty (Chen et al, 2017) and the attentional demands during the task (Merholz et al, 2022), which is in line with our interpretation that the action-related modulation might be related to attentional engagement. An additional explanation for the different frequencies reported in different studies is that different periodic modulations coexist in the brain, and the brain circuits recruited to perform a specific task, or reset by a specific event, may be under the influence of one or the other process (VanRullen, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Performance modulations phase-locked to action depend on internal state

Tosato

Rohenkohl

2022

Preprint

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Several studies have probed perceptual performance at different times after a self-paced motor action and found frequency-specific modulations of perceptual performance phase-locked to the action. Such action-related modulation has been reported for various frequencies and modulation strengths. In an attempt to establish a basic effect at the population level, we had a relatively large number of participants (n=50) perform a self-paced button press followed by a detection task at threshold, and we applied both fixed- and random-effects tests. The combined data of all trials and participants surprisingly did not show any significant action-related modulation. However, based on previous studies, we explored the possibility that such modulation depends on the participant's internal state. Indeed, when we split trials based on performance in neighboring trials, then trials in periods of low performance showed an action-related modulation at approximately 17 Hz. When we split trials based on the performance in the preceding trial, we found that trials following a ''miss'' showed an action-related modulation at approximately 17 Hz. Finally, when we split participants based on their false-alarm rate, we found that participants with no false alarms showed an action-related modulation at approximately 17 Hz. All these effects were significant in random-effects tests, supporting an inference on the population. Together, these findings indicate that action-related modulations are not always detectable. However, the results suggest that specific internal states such as lower attentional engagement and/or higher decision criterion are characterized by a modulation in the beta-frequency range.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Performance modulations phase-locked to action depend on internal state

Tosato

Rohenkohl

2022

Preprint

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“…As aforementioned, studies applied dual tasks found that the phasic contributions of other cognitive functions can influence target perception, such as working memory (Balestrieri et al 2022) and motor actions (Tomassini et al 2017). Moreover, it is suspected that task parameters such as the number of sampling objects (Fiebelkorn et al 2013; Holcombe and Chen 2013; Re et al 2019), occurrence of distractors (Kawashima et al 2022), task difficulties (Chen et al 2017; Merholz et al 2022), rewards (Su et al 2021), and continuous response (Michel et al 2022; Song et al 2014) can influence the observed rhythms. In summary, our findings contribute to bridging the gap by demonstrating that the validity of spatial cues also influences sampling behavior.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Certain spatial prediction decreases the rhythm of attentional sampling

Huang,

Liang,

Juan

2023

Preprint

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Recent studies demonstrate that behavioral performance during visual spatial attention fluctuates at theta (4-8 Hz) and alpha (8-16 Hz) frequencies, linked to phase amplitude coupling (PAC) of neural oscillations within the visual and attentional system. Moreover, previous research suggests that attentional sampling rhythms are task-dependent, evidenced by varying behavioral performance at different frequencies. To investigate the role of prior spatial prediction, we employed an adaptive discrimination task with variable cue-target onset asynchronies ranging from 300 ms to 1300 ms in steps of 20 ms, while manipulating spatial prediction via cue validity (100% & 50%), with concurrent Electroencephalography (EEG) recording. We applied adaptive data analytical methods, namely Holo-Hilbert Spectral Analysis (HHSA) and Holo-Hilbert Cross-frequency Phase Clustering (HHCFPC). Our findings indicate that response precision for near-threshold Landolt rings fluctuates at the theta- band (4 Hz) under certain predictions and at alpha & beta bands (15 & 19 Hz) with uncertain predictions. Furthermore, spatial prediction strengthens theta-alpha modulations at parietal- occipital areas, frontal theta phase and parietal-occipital alpha amplitude coupling, and within frontal theta phase/ alpha amplitude coupling. Notably, during the pre-target period, beta- modulated gamma oscillations in parietal-occipital areas predict response precision in spatially uncertain conditions, while frontal theta phase and parietal-occipital alpha amplitude coupling predict response precision in spatially certain conditions. In conclusion, our study not only strengthens the notion that the speed of periodic sampling in perception depends on the task at hand but also highlights the critical role of spatial prediction in attentional sampling rhythms.Significance StatementThis study investigates the temporal dynamics of sustained spatial attention under varying certainty levels, employing behavioral and electrophysiological measures in an adaptive discrimination task. Unveiling the rhythmic nature of sustained attention, our findings showcase substantial effects of spatial certainty on attentional rhythms, witnessing an increased certainty that shifts these rhythms from beta to theta frequencies. Neural oscillations offer insights into the underlying mechanisms, revealing theta-alpha coupling and beta-gamma coupling within the visual system and frontal-parietal network. Significantly, our results challenge conventional notions of attentional rhythms, emphasizing the dynamic complexity of these processes. In a broader context, our study contributes to bridging the gap between task demands and periodic sampling rhythms, offering novel insights into attention allocation during complex tasks.

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“…In other words, visual performance fluctuates over time in the alpha band in detection tasks in which the target stimulus appeared always at the same spatial location (Valera et al, 1981; Busch et al, 2009; Mathewson et al, 2009; Busch and VanRullen, 2010; Dugué et al, 2011; Samaha and Postle, 2015; Samaha et al, 2017; Fakche et al, 2022). However, when multiple stimuli are presented, attention rhythmically samples information at the theta frequency (Dugué et al, 2015; Landau et al, 2012; Fiebelkorn et al, 2013a; Song et al, 2014; Huang et al, 2015; Dugué et al, 2019; Merholz et al, 2022; Galas et al, 2023; see also Re et al, 2023; review: VanRullen, 2016; Dugué and VanRullen, 2017; Kienitz et al, 2022; Keitel et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Visual perception fluctuates rhythmically along with the phase of low-frequency brain oscillations (theta, 4-7 Hz; alpha, 8-13 Hz) (Valera et al, 1981; Busch et al, 2009; Mathewson et al, 2009; Dugué et al, 2011, 2015; Samaha and Postle, 2015, Samaha et al, 2017; Fakche et al, 2022; Merholz et al, 2022; for review: VanRullen, 2016; Kienitz et al, 2022; Keitel et al, 2022). Studies suggest that this phase effect accounts for less than 20% of the trial-by-trial variability in behavioral performance (Busch et al, 2009; Busch and VanRullen, 2010; Dugué et al, 2011, 2015; Baumgarten et al, 2015; Samaha et al, 2017; Fakche et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptual cycles travel across retinotopic space

Fakche

Dugué

2022

Preprint

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Visual perception waxes and wanes periodically as a function of the phase of low-frequency brain oscillations (theta, 4-7 Hz; alpha, 8-13 Hz) [1-9]. Perceptual cycles are defined as the corresponding periodic modulation of perceptual performance (review [10, 11]). Here, using psychophysics, we tested the hypothesis that brain oscillations travel across the visual cortex, leading to predictable perceptual consequences across the visual field, i.e., perceptual cycles travel across the retinotopic visual space. An oscillating disk (inducer) was presented in the periphery of the visual field to induce brain oscillations at low frequencies (4, 6, 8 or 10 Hz) at a specific retinotopic cortical location. Target stimuli at threshold (50% detection) were displayed at random times during the periodic disk stimulation, at one of three possible distances from the disk. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded while participants performed a detection task. EEG analyses showed that the periodic stimulation produced a complex brain oscillation composed of the induced frequency and its first harmonic likely due to the overlap of the periodic response and the neural response to individual stimuli. This complex oscillation, which originated from a precise retinotopic position, modulated detection performance periodically at each target position and at each frequency. Critically, the optimal behavioral phase, i.e., of highest performance, of the 8 Hz and 10 Hz oscillations (alpha range) consistently shifted across target distance to the inducer. Together, the results demonstrate that alpha-induced perceptual cycles traveled across the retinotopic space in human observers at a propagation speed between 0.2 and 0.4 m/s.

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Periodic attention operates faster during more complex visual search

Cited by 12 publications

References 96 publications

Performance modulations phase-locked to action depend on internal state

Performance modulations phase-locked to action depend on internal state

Certain spatial prediction decreases the rhythm of attentional sampling

Perceptual cycles travel across retinotopic space

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