Attentional processes

Sarter, M. Bruno, J. P. (2000). Cortical cholinergic inputs mediating arousal, attentional processing and dreaming differential afferent regulation of the basal forebrain by telencephahc and brainstem afferents. Neuroscience 95,... 

Amongst other subcortical structures, neurons of the superior colliculus are involved in saccadic eye movements and attentional processes (Wurtz et al., 1982). Local deactivation of the superior colliculus decreases attentional task performance only in the presence of distractors. Again there appears to be a critical interaction between attention and arousal, with a specific attentional role for this particular locus remaining unclear. 

FIGURE 8.1 The prefrontal, parietal, and temporal association cortices form interconnected networks that play complementary roles in attentional processing. 

However, the posterior cortical areas may be aided by P and aj-adrenergic receptor stimulation and by dopaminergic stimulation, and thus stimulants may promote the attentional processing abilities of these areas. It is important to note that there has been no direct animal research on catecholamine modulation of posterior cortical function thus this idea remains speculative. 

Mintzer, M.Z. and Griffiths, R.R., Lorazepam and scopolamine a single-dose comparison of effects on human memory and attentional processes, Exp. Clin. Psychophatmacol., 11, 56, 2003. 

Stivalet P, Esqivie, D, Barraud P, Leifflen D, Raphel C. Effects of modafinil on attentional processes during 60 hours of sleep deprivation. Hum Psychopharmacol Clin Exp 1998 13 501-507. 

Ellenbroek BA. Pre-attentive processing and schizophrenia animal studies. Psychopharmacology 2004 174 65-74. 

Jongen-Relo AL, Kaufmann S, Feldon JA (2002) Differential involvement of the shell and core subterritories of the nucleus accumbens of rats in attentional processes. Neuroscience 777(1) 95 109. 

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