Attention Mechanisms and Cross-Modal Integration in Language and Visual Cognition

In the field of cognitive neuroscience, understanding how humans process and integrate information from different sensory modalities is a crucial topic. Attention mechanisms play a vital role in this process by selectively focusing resources on relevant sensory inputs while ignoring irrelevant ones. Language cognition and visual cognition are two primary cognitive functions that rely on complex neural networks and interact with each other in everyday activities. For instance, during reading and visual search tasks, the language and visual systems must closely cooperate to achieve efficient information processing.

Cross-modal integration refers to the process by which information from different sensory modalities interacts and combines to create a unified and coherent perceptual experience. Research has shown that cross-modal integration relies not only on the independent processing of each sensory system but also on their interactions. This integrative process is essential for understanding higher cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and learning in multisensory environments.

The primary objective of this Research Topic is to investigate the role of attention mechanisms in both language and visual cognition, with a particular focus on how they enhance cognitive functions through cross-modal integration. Additionally, we seek to understand how cross-modal integration impacts higher cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and learning, while also examining how attention mechanisms can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of information processing in multisensory environments. We aim to advance the theoretical understanding of attention mechanisms and cross-modal integration, offering valuable insights and practical guidance for fields such as education, neurorehabilitation, and artificial intelligence.

The articles should provide insight into cognitive processes. The research topic welcomes submissions on topics related, but not limited, to:

- Attention Mechanisms: The role of selective attention, sustained attention, and divided attention in language and visual tasks and their neural basis.

- Language Cognition: The impact of attention mechanisms on language comprehension, language production, and speech processing disorders (e.g., aphasia, dyslexia).

- Visual Cognition: The role of attention mechanisms in visual perception, visual search, and visual memory.

- Cross-Modal Integration: How the brain integrates information from different sensory modalities to form a unified perceptual experience.

- Neural Basis: Using neuroimaging techniques (e.g., fMRI, EEG) and neural modulation methods (e.g., TMS, tDCS) to study the neural foundations of attention mechanisms and cross-modal integration.

- Higher Cognitive Functions: The impact of attention mechanisms and cross-modal integration on memory, learning, and multitasking.

This research topic is partnered with the
2024 18th International Conference on Complex Medical Engineering (CME2024) . Only papers presented at the conference are accepted for this topic and qualify for the publication fee discount. The CME2024 is set to take place in Kyoto, Japan, from November 8 to 10, 2024. Hosted by the Kyoto University and Institute of Complex Medical Engineering, the event provides a unique platform for academia and industry to exchange ideas and address challenges in optoelectronic medical instruments, brain information engineering, neurorehabilitation engineering and medicine, and communication technology.