Visualization of brain activation during the performance of attention-demanding tasks

Abstract

Attention is the primary cognitive process to induce a response to a stimulus. Maintaining the attentive state continuously for a prolonged period of time is known as sustained attention which is vital for performing any task. The present study aims at evaluating the activation of different brain regions while performing an attention requiring task. A standard attention task called the Visual Continuous Performance test was employed for the study. The analysis is achieved with the help of electroencephalography (EEG) recorded simultaneously during the entire period of execution of task. The task report detailing the errors committed, reaction time is generated automatically and indicates the level of performance. The relative theta and gamma power were significantly higher (p=0.05) during task when compared to that determined during rest, whereas in alpha band the relative power was significantly higher (p=0.05) during rest when compared to task. Event related synchronization (ERS) and Event related Desynchronization (ERD) in relative theta power and relative alpha power respectively was observed particularly in the parietal cognitive processing electrodes (associated with attention). Theta synchronisation and alpha desynchronization is associated with good performance; this was supported by the task performance result which reported a minimum of errors. These event-related changes helped sustain attention and a visualization of the activated brain regions was accomplished for a better depiction of the findings.