Volume 12, Issue 1 e1546
Focus Article

A systematic review and meta-analysis of memory-guided attention: Frontal and parietal activation suggests involvement of fronto-parietal networks

Manda Fischer

Corresponding Author

Manda Fischer

Department of Psychology, Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Correspondence

Manda Fischer, Department of Psychology, Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Email: [email protected]

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Morris Moscovitch

Morris Moscovitch

Department of Psychology, Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

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Claude Alain

Claude Alain

Department of Psychology, Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

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First published: 25 October 2020
Citations: 13

Funding information: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Grant/Award Numbers: A83470, RGPIN-2016-05523

Abstract

Prior knowledge and long-term memory can guide our attention to facilitate search for and detection of subtle targets embedded in a complex scene. A number of neuropsychological and experimental studies have investigated this effect, yet results in the field remain mixed, as there is a lack of consensus regarding the neural correlates thought to support memory-guided attention. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify a common set of brain structures involved in memory-guided attention. Statistical analyses were computed on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies that presented participants with a task that required them to detect a target or a change embedded in repeated and novel complex visual displays. After a systematic search, 10 fMRI studies met the selection criteria and were included in the analysis. The results yielded four significant clusters. Activity in right inferior parietal (Brodmann area [BA] 9) and right superior parietal (BA 7) lobes suggests involvement of a fronto-parietal attention network, while activity in left mid-cingulate cortex (BA 23) and right middle frontal gyrus (BA 10) suggests involvement of a fronto-parietal control network. These findings are consistent with the notion that fronto-parietal circuits are important for interfacing retrieved memories with attentional systems to guide search.

This article is categorized under:

  • Psychology > Memory
  • Psychology > Learning
  • Psychology > Attention

Graphical Abstract

Meta-analysis results implicate fronto-parietal attention and control networks during memory-guided attention.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

No conflict of interest to disclose.