Long-Range Attention Networks: Circuit Motifs Underlying Endogenously Controlled Stimulus Selection

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2015

Journal

Trends in neurosciences

Volume

38

Issue

11

First Page

682

Last Page

700

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1016/j.tins.2015.08.009

Abstract

Attention networks comprise brain areas whose coordinated activity implements stimulus selection. This selection is reflected in spatially referenced priority maps across frontal-parietal-collicular areas and is controlled through interactions with circuits representing behavioral goals, including prefrontal, cingulate, and striatal circuits, among others. We review how these goal-providing structures control stimulus selection through long-range dynamic projection motifs. These motifs (i) combine feature-tuned subnetworks to a distributed priority map, (ii) establish endogenously controlled, long-range coherent activity at 4-10 Hz theta and 12-30 Hz beta-band frequencies, and (iii) are composed of unique cell types implementing long-range networks through disynaptic disinhibition, dendritic gating, and feedforward inhibitory gain control. This evidence reveals common circuit motifs used to coordinate attentionally selected information across multi-node brain networks during goal-directed behavior.

Share

COinS