Skip to main content
Log in

Topography and source analysis of brain activity associated with selective spatial attention and memory search

  • Published:
Brain Topography Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

We investigated the topographical aspects of the ERP reflections of visual spatial attention and memory search. Spatial attention was found to enhance the amplitudes of the P1 and N1 deflections. The brain activity in the P1-N1 latency range could be modeled with a single moving equivalent dipole, or alternatively with two stationary dipoles in a spatio-temporal dipole model. The dipoles were located in mesial and lateral posterior brain regions. Similar dipole solutions were obtained for ERPs to attended and unattended stimuli. Increasing the memory search requirements of the task resulted in an increase of late negativity, which was topographically distinguishable from the P3 component.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barrett, G., Blumhardt, L., Halliday, A.M., Halliday, E. and Kriss, A. A paradox in the lateralization of the visual evoked response. Science, 1976, 261: 253–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brookhuis, K.A., Mulder, G., Mulder, L.J.M., Gloerich, A.B.M., van Dellen, H.J., van der Meere, J.J. and Ellerman, H.H. Late positive components and stimulus evaluation time. Biological Psychology, 1981, 13: 107–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Munck, J.C. A mathematical and physical interpretation of the electromagnetic field of the brain. Doctoral Thesis. 1989.

  • Desimone, R. and Ungerleider, L.G. Neural mechanisms of visual processing in monkeys. In: F. Boller and J. Grafman (Eds.), Handbook of Neuropsychology, Vol. 2 (pp. 267–298). Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1989: 267–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kropotov, J.D. and Ponomarev, V.A. Subcortical neuronal correlates of component P300 in man. Electroencephalography and clinical Neurophysiology, 1991, 78: 40–49.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mangun, G.R., Hillyard, S.A. and Luck, S.J. Electrocortical substrates of visual selective attention. In: S. Kornblum and D.E. Meyer (Eds.), Attention and Performance XIV, Erlbaum, Hillsdale NJ, 1993: in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, M. and de Munck, J. In: F. Grandori, M. Hoke and G.L. Romani (Eds.), Advances in Audiology vol. 6, Auditory Evoked Magnetic Fields and Electric Potentials. Karger, Basel, 1990: 70–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Proverbio, A.M. and Mangun, G.R. Right and left hemisphere roles for attention: electrophysiological evidence. Poster presented at EPIC X, 1992.

  • Rugg, M.D., Milner, A.D., Lines, C.R. and Phalp, R. Modulation of visual event-related potentials by spatial and non-spatial visual selective attention. Neuropsychologia, 1987, 25: 85–96.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steinmetz, H., Frst, G. and Meyer, B. Craniocerebral topography within the international 10–20 system. Electroencephalography and clinical Neurophysiology, 1989, 72: 499–506.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wijers, A.A., Lamain, W., Slopsema, S., Mulder, G. and Mulder, L.J.M. An electrophysiological investigation of the spatial distribution of attention to colored stimuli in focused and divided attention conditions. Biological Psychology, 1989b, 29: 213–245.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wijers, A.A., Mulder, G., Okita, T., Mulder, L.J.M. and Scheffers, M.K. Attention to colour: An ERP-analysis of selection, controlled search and motor activation. Psychophysiology, 1989a, 26: 89–109.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wijers, A.A., Mulder, G., van Hooff, H. et al. Topography and source analysis of brain activity associated with selective spatial attention and memory search. Brain Topogr 5, 383–388 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01128695

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01128695

Key words

Navigation