Electrophysiological evidence for sequential activation of multiple brain regions during the auditory selective attention process in humans

Neuroreport. 1999 Dec 16;10(18):3837-42. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199912160-00021.

Abstract

In an attempt to examine dynamic involvement of multiple brain regions in the auditory selective attention process, negative difference wave (Nd) generators were assessed using a high-resolution EEG system (128ch) and scalp current density (SCD) analysis. Ten normal volunteers participated in the study. Event-related potentials were recorded during a selective attention task. Sequential SCD mappings revealed that current sinks were located in the bilateral temporal regions at 160 ms subsequent to the onset of stimuli, shifting the dipole orientation more tangentially to the scalp at around 220 ms. Moreover, a current sink was demonstrated in the midfrontal region at around 320 ms. These findings confirm that different cortical regions are sequentially involved in the auditory selective attention process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Auditory Perception / physiology*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electroencephalography
  • Electrophysiology
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Scalp / physiology