Context-dependent attentional spotlight in pulvinar-V1 interaction

Spatial attention is often described as a mental spotlight that enhances information processing at the attended location. Using fMRI, we investigated background connectivity between the pulvinar and V1 in relation to focused versus diffused attention allocation, in weak and strong crowding contexts. Our findings revealed that focused attention led to enhanced correlations between the pulvinar and V1. Notably, this modulation was initiated by the pulvinar, and the strength of the modulation was dependent on the saliency of the target. These findings suggest that the pulvinar initiates information reweighting to V1, which underlies attentional selection in cluttered scenes.

Automated summary

Using fMRI, this study investigates the background connectivity between the pulvinar and V1 in relation to focused and diffused attention allocation. The findings suggest that focused attention enhances the correlations between the pulvinar and V1, with the modulation initiated by the pulvinar and dependent on the saliency of the target. This study reveals the role of the pulvinar in information reweighting for attentional selection in cluttered scenes.