The Costs of Switching between "What" and "Where" Processing in Audition and Vision
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1
Rotman Research Institute, Canada
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2
Baycrest Centre, Canada
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3
University of Toronto, Department of Psychology, Canada
Switching from one task-set to another relies on cognitive control processes. We proposed that the efficacy of control processes is proportional to the extent of overlap between the neural circuits mediating those task-sets. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies revealed the existence of segregated “what” and “where” processing streams in audition and vision with “where” processes exhibiting commonalities across the two modalities. A cue-target paradigm and fMRI recordings (Siemens 3.0T; TR=2s) were employed in a group of 17 healthy volunteers (mean age 25) who responded to the location or identity of lateralized targets as signaled by a preceding cue. Cue-driven response rules (location vs. identity) alternated while target modality was blocked, and vice versa. Switch costs were observed in both modalities with largest costs when switching from location to identity task-sets in the visual modality. Activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate (BA 24) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (BA 46) as well as modality-specific areas, such as the superior temporal cortex, and V1, accounted for the largest switch costs in the two modalities. This study provides insight into the extent of overlap between “what” and “where” processing streams and the modality-independence of prefrontal cortex activity. Work was supported by NSERC and the JS McDonnell Foundation.
Conference:
The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes, Toronto, Canada, 22 Mar - 26 Mar, 2010.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Cognitive Neuroscience
Citation:
Diaconescu
A and
Mcintosh
A
(2010). The Costs of Switching between "What" and "Where" Processing in Audition and Vision.
Conference Abstract:
The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.14.00100
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Received:
29 Jun 2010;
Published Online:
29 Jun 2010.
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Correspondence:
A O Diaconescu, Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, Canada, Andreea.Diaconescu@camh.ca