Researchers identify brain region crucial for attention control

A recent research conducted at the University of Iowa has identified the brain region associated with how people manage their thoughts and focus amid distractions. This discovery is importantas it throwslight on the cognitive and behavioural side effects of a treatment usedfor Parkinson's disease patients.

Published on March 4 in the journal Brain, the study titled "The human subthalamic nucleus transiently inhibits active attentional processes" highlights the role of the subthalamic nucleus, a small brain region responsible for regulating movements.

The study suggests that in Parkinson's patients, this brain area, which typically restrains sudden movements, might be overly active, contributing to tremors and other motor impairments associated with the disease.

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In recent times, doctors have been using deep-brain stimulation to treat patients with Parkinson's disease. This involves implanting electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus, a brain area that regulates movement, to generate electrical signals and loosen its control, allowing for better movement. Similar to a pacemaker for the heart, once implanted, the deep brain stimulation system runs continuously.

Jan Wessel, an associate professor at the University of Iowa, described the technique as "truly miraculous." It often results in immediate relief from tremors, enabling patients to carry out tasks like playing golf steadily.

However, some patients treated with deep brain stimulation experience challenges with attention and impulse control, leading to risky behaviours like gambling and substance abuse. Researchers began to wonder if the subthalamic nucleus, involved in movement, also influences thoughts and impulse control.

To explore this, Wessel's team conducted experiments on Parkinson's patients with and without deep brain stimulation. Participants were asked to focus on a computer screen while their brain waves were monitored. When they heard a chirping sound, meant to distract their attention, their brain waves in the visual cortex dropped, indicating a diversion of attention.

In a 2021 study, Wessel's team found that distractions caused a drop in attention in the visual cortex. In this recent study, they observed similar results in Parkinson's patients, suggesting that the subthalamic nucleus plays a role in regulating attention and impulse control

However, when the chirp was presented to Parkinson's patients with deep brain stimulation active, they did not shift their visual attention.

The team observed that they were unable to redirect or suppress their focus of attention as they did before. Despite the unexpected sound, they remained fully engaged with their visual system without diverting their attention.

This finding highlights the role of the subthalamic nucleus in not only coordinating movement, as previously understood, but also in regulating thoughts and attention.

(With inputs from agencies)