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Functional but not obligatory link between microsaccades and neural modulation by covert spatial attention

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  • Baiwei Liu

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Anna C. Nobre

    (University of Oxford
    University of Oxford)

  • Freek van Ede

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
    University of Oxford)

Abstract

Covert spatial attention is associated with spatial modulation of neural activity as well as with directional biases in fixational eye movements known as microsaccades. We studied how these two ‘fingerprints’ of attention are interrelated in humans. We investigated spatial modulation of 8-12 Hz EEG alpha activity and microsaccades when attention is directed internally within the spatial layout of visual working memory. Consistent with a common origin, spatial modulations of alpha activity and microsaccades co-vary: alpha lateralisation is stronger in trials with microsaccades toward versus away from the memorised location of the to-be-attended item and occurs earlier in trials with earlier microsaccades toward this item. Critically, however, trials without attention-driven microsaccades nevertheless show clear spatial modulation of alpha activity – comparable to trials with attention-driven microsaccades. Thus, directional biases in microsaccades correlate with neural signatures of spatial attention, but they are not necessary for neural modulation by spatial attention to be manifest.

Suggested Citation

  • Baiwei Liu & Anna C. Nobre & Freek van Ede, 2022. "Functional but not obligatory link between microsaccades and neural modulation by covert spatial attention," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31217-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31217-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tirin Moore & Katherine M. Armstrong, 2003. "Selective gating of visual signals by microstimulation of frontal cortex," Nature, Nature, vol. 421(6921), pages 370-373, January.
    2. Matthew F. Panichello & Timothy J. Buschman, 2021. "Shared mechanisms underlie the control of working memory and attention," Nature, Nature, vol. 592(7855), pages 601-605, April.
    3. Freek van Ede & Sammi R. Chekroud & Anna C. Nobre, 2019. "Human gaze tracks attentional focusing in memorized visual space," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 3(5), pages 462-470, May.
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