Visuals Enhance Attention via Norepinephrine

Article: Visuals increase attention. Now science explains why.
Source: University of Texas Health
Published: December 17, 2021 

The overlap of two staining markers that demonstrate
specific expression in noradrenergic neurons in V1

To catch a child's wandering attention, parents might use a variety of visual cues, e.g., waving their hands, telling the child to "Look at me!" Neuroscientists have uncovered clues as to why using visual stimuli works to engage our attention, reporting that the neurochemical norepinephrine is locally regulated in the visual cortex. Senior author of the study explains, "Before our study, research suggested the possibility of local regulation of norepinephrine release, but it had never been directly demonstrated." A fundamental chemical for optimal neurological performance in general and for attention in particular, reduced levels of norepinephrine result in conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while an excess of norepinephrine release results in states such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, even low-intensity visual stimuli can have an effect to trigger attention-specific norepinephrine signally pathways in the visual cortex. Using a mouse model of the visual cortex and various electrophysiological recordings, the investigators found that "When a person makes a movement, such as turning the head to listen to a parent, and that is combined with visual stimulation, then more norepinephrine is released where visual information is processed." In other words, norepinephrine is locally regulated in cortical areas that process the visual stimuli. Secondly, the researchers found that astrocytes, a type of glial cell in the brain, are sensitive to norepinephrine release, and alter their responses accordingly. They conclude, "Understanding norepinephrine release, its local regulation and the astrocyte response may represent a mechanism by which one could enhance sensory-specific attention."

My rating of this study: ⭐

Gray SR, Ye L, Ye JY, et al. "Noradrenergic terminal short-term potentiation enables modality-selective integration of sensory input and vigilance state." Science Advances.  7(50). 17 December 2021. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abk1378