Objective Attention is a control system that optimizes behavior by altering the way that incoming sensory information is processed. Determining how attention influences the way that information is represented throughout the brain is a core problem in sensory neuroscience. Recent evidence from primates suggests that attention can change tuning in single neurons at higher stages of visual processing. Tuning changes imply that many visual representations are not fixed, but rather can be changed dynamically according to task demands. However, it is currently unknown whether attention causes tuning changes in the human brain.This proposal investigates how attention changes tuning for a broad range of semantic features across the entire human brain. To address this issue, the proposal uses functional MRI to record blood-oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals while humans search for specific object or action categories (e.g. “Humans” or “Vehicles”) in natural movies. The proposal leverages an innovative voxel-wise modeling framework to characterize how attention changes tuning for hundreds of semantic features. This framework will enable separate characterization of attentional influences on response baseline, response gain and tuning.The proposal consists of two broad Aims. Aim 1 focuses on how attention changes the way that objects and actions are represented in the brain. Aim 2 addresses the computational principles that govern attentional tuning changes. These experiments will provide crucial information for understanding how the brain dynamically changes representations to optimize behavior during natural vision, and they will provide the first quantitative semantic models that accurately predict BOLD responses during natural visual search. The results will advance our understanding of cognitive processes such as learning and memory that depend on attention, and they will have implications for developing treatments and interventions for attention-related mental disorders. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological scienceszoologymammalogyprimatologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologysocial sciencesmedia and communicationsgraphic designmedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepsychiatrysocial sciencespsychologycognitive psychology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator BILKENT UNIVERSITESI VAKIF Address Eskisehir yolu 8 km 06800 Bilkent ankara Türkiye See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments projects.administrative_contact Abdullah Atalar (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 100 000,00