The premotor theory of attention is a theory in cognitive neuroscience proposing that when attention is shifted, the brain engages a motor plan to move to engage with that focus.[1]

One line of evidence for this theory comes from neurophysiological recordings in the frontal eye fields and superior colliculus. Neurons in these areas are typically activated during eye movements, and electrical stimulation of these regions can generate eye movements. Another line of evidence comes from behavioural findings, showing that upcoming eye movements facilitate perception.[2]

References

  1. ^ Craighero, Laila; Rizzolatti, Giacomo (2005-01-01), Itti, Laurent; Rees, Geraint; Tsotsos, John K. (eds.), "CHAPTER 31 - The Premotor Theory of Attention", Neurobiology of Attention, Burlington: Academic Press, pp. 181–186, ISBN 978-0-12-375731-9, retrieved 2020-11-26
  2. ^ Rizzolatti, Giacomo; Riggio, Lucia; Dascola, Isabella; Umiltá, Carlo (1987-01-01). "Reorienting attention across the horizontal and vertical meridians: Evidence in favor of a premotor theory of attention". Neuropsychologia. 25 (1, Part 1): 31–40. doi:10.1016/0028-3932(87)90041-8. ISSN 0028-3932. PMID 3574648. S2CID 16353514.


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