Attention Modulation of Local and Global Inhibition Mechanisms

Human behavior is both flexible and adapted to the environmental context through inhibition capabilities; the investigator control the subject's behavior by repressing inappropriate responses and selecting, among several possibilities, those that are appropriate. These mechanisms are not independent of attentional control. Attention acts as a selection filter for the investigator's behavior. This leads us to hypothesize that attention modulates the mechanisms of inhibition. Nevertheless, the different brain structures involved, as well as mechanisms underlying the interaction between inhibition and attention remain largely unknown.

Previous research has suggested that inhibition requires selective attention and, conversely, attentional mechanisms would result in the "deselection", or inhibition, of objects in space or irrelevant actions. Reconciling the literature on attention with the one on inhibition appears fundamental for the understanding of the instance to which the mechanisms of inhibition and the cognitive processes interact. Therefore, the goal of this research project will be to investigate how inhibition mechanisms are implemented in the brain and, in more detail, what determines the type of resulting inhibitory control: spatially localized or global. The investigator will test 3 different patient groups (optic ataxia, hemispatial neglect and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) compared to control.

In conclusion, this research project will aim to develop a theoretical model of the interaction between attentional control and inhibition mechanisms in order to improve diagnostic and rehabilitation tools in the future.