Cite as:
Ashbridge E, Ellison A, Walsh V, Cowey A, 1998, "The role of the parietal cortex in visual attention and learning" Perception 27 ECVP Abstract Supplement

The role of the parietal cortex in visual attention and learning

E Ashbridge, A Ellison, V Walsh, A Cowey

Using single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) we have shown that a region of the right parietal cortex is important for normal performance on difficult visual-search tasks irrespective of the location of the target in the visual field. The right parietal cortex involvement appears to be restricted to tasks with which the subject is unfamiliar and needs to perform in a serial manner. Training subjects until the task is easy (eg performed in parallel) negates the effects of TMS. Here we show, in agreement with neuropsychological findings, that the left parietal cortex is also important for some visual-search tasks but only when the target lies in the right visual field. We also show that, as one becomes trained on search tasks, the role of the parietal cortex changes at an early stage of learning (ie while subjects still find the task difficult) rather than after learning has occurred.

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