Separable networks for top-down attention to auditory non-spatial and visuospatial modalities

A central question for cognitive neuroscience is whether there is a single neural system controlling the allocation of attention. A dorsal frontoparietal network of brain regions is often proposed as a mediator of top-down attention to all sensory inputs. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging in humans to show that the cortical networks supporting top-down attention are in fact modality-specific, with distinct superior fronto-parietal and fronto-temporal networks for visuospatial and non-spatial auditory attention respectively. In contrast, parts of the right middle and inferior frontal gyri showed a common response to attentional control regardless of modality, providing evidence that the amodal component of attention is restricted to the anterior cortex.

► Fronto-temporal systems involved in auditory non-spatial top-down attention ► Dorsal attention network involved in visuospatial top-down attention ► Only middle and inferior frontal gyri significantly activated for both modalities ► There are modality specific neural mechanisms modulating top-down attention