Heightened activity in a key region of the ventral attention network is linked to reduced activity in a key region of the dorsal attention network during unexpected shifts of covert visual spatial attention

► Reorienting visual spatial attention activates the right IFG. ► However, it is unclear how this activity enables reorienting attention. ► We show that the right IFG dampens activity in regions that maintain attention. ► Thus, it aids reorienting attention by weakening the current focus of attention.