Neural mechanisms underlying individual differences in attentional blink

Abstract

Attentional blink (AB) is a well-known phenomenon that detection of a first target (T1) results in reduced identification of a subsequent target (T2) presented within about 500ms in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) stream. However, the neural bases of AB are still not well established. In the present study, we combined multimodal MRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS) to examine the brain structure and functional connectivity basis of AB. Based on multimodal MRI data from a large group of subjects, we used individual differences approach to search brain areas whose local gray-matter volume (GMV), and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) correlated with individuals’ AB magnitude, which was measured by a classical AB paradigm. Further, triple-pulse TMS was used to verify the causal role of the discovered regions. We finally found that: (i) GMV in right temporo-parietal junction (rTPJ), which is essential for attentional reorienting, was positively correlated with AB magnitude; (ii) RSFC between left inferior frontal junction (lIFJ) and rTPJ was negatively correlated with AB magnitude; (iii) Both the correlation between lIFJ-rTPJ connectivity and AB magnitude, and the correlation between rTPJ GMV and AB magnitude were modulated by T1 performance: both lIFJ-rTPJ connectivity and rTPJ GMV predicted AB magnitude only for individuals with low T1 performance, not for those with high T1 performance; (iv) transient disruption of lIFJ by TMS after T1 onset attenuated theAB magnitude. Taken together, our findings revealed that differences in brain structure of rTPJ and its functional connectivity with lIFJ accounted for individual differences in AB magnitude, and that lIFJ also played a causal role in AB.