Dissertation abstract

PRECUNEUS AND ATTENTION ALLOCATION ii
ABSTRACT
The precuneus (PrC) exists within the Default Mode Network (DMN) and has been found to
be most active when an individual is distracted, while exhibiting task-induced deactivation
during a cognitively demanding task. Previous studies have implicated the PrC in the switching
of attention, but its role within attentional control has received little investigation to date. This
study used the Attentional White Bear (AWB) paradigm to measure allocation of attention to
expected distractor locations (“White Bear” effect) and congruent/incongruent flanker trials to
measure distractor interference. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) was used alongside
AWB to test whether inhibition of the PrC results in enhanced attention allocation to target
stimuli. We hypothesised that participants would show reduced White Bear effects and the
difference in performance between congruent and incongruent flanker displays would be
significantly reduced. TMS to the PrC did not show a reduction in the White Bear effect, but
the difference in performance between congruent and incongruent trials was approaching
significance, suggesting that TMS was reducing interference from distractors. PrC stimulation
has the potential to reduce the congruency effect and better focus attention towards task-
relevant information.

Dissertation abstract

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Dissertation abstract