Neuroscientists have artificially increased neuronal activity in part of the brain by briefly shining light on genetically modified neurons. They saw that this manipulation selectively enhanced performance in non-human primates performing a visual attention task, underscoring the crucial role that attention plays in sensory perception.
The locus coeruleus is a small region of the brainstem that produces norepinephrine, a chemical with powerful effects on arousal and wakefulness which plays an important role in the body's response to stress or panic. Now, research from the University of Chicago shows it plays a specific role in visual sensory processing as well., neuroscientists artificially increased neuronal activity in the LC by briefly shining light on genetically modified neurons.
Ghosh, who specializes in subcortical brain structures, suggested that the LC might be a good candidate to study for these effects. The team trained two monkeys to perform a visual task in which they paid attention to the left or right side of a screen. First, a sample image would appear on both sides of the screen. Next, after a delay, a test image would appear on one side of the screen.
Distinguishing the effects of attention from other factors, like decision-making or motor movements, is crucial, Ghosh said. Those processes take place in other parts of the brain, and can contribute to performance independently. Understanding how a relatively small brain structure like the LC impacts such an important function as attention is also one step toward solving the overall puzzle of the brain.
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