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Top-down spatial attention and nociception

Herzog, M. (2008) Top-down spatial attention and nociception.

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Abstract:Pain perception can be modulated by top-down and bottom-up processes. Attention is a top-down factor which was used in this study to investigate its effect on the processing of nociceptive stimuli. This was done by means of a spatial attention task during which participants received high or low intensity stimuli on the right or the left hand. They had to respond to a specific stimulus intensity and they had to pay attention to one side, which depended on the spatial task. With this research design, it was possible to study the influence of spatial attention on pain perception. An early attention effect, which corresponded to a P100 component, was found at a midline electrode. This effect was enhanced for nociceptive stimuli received on the attended side and it derived from somatosensory sites. Another attention effect was identified at the P250 component which originates most likely from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and which was absent for low unattended stimuli. A third attention effect was observed at approximately 300ms after stimulus onset which resulted in higher activity when attention had to paid to high stimulus intensities
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:05 communication studies
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/58788
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