Modulation of Visual Contrast Perception Associated With Dorsal Attention Network Connectivity Assessed by Magnetoencephalography

The impact of executive attention on visual cortical responses depends upon the contrast of input stimuli. Functional neuroimaging has difficulty capturing non-linear gain modulations of the contrast response function (CRF) and dynamic communication within visual attention networks subserving it. The current study utilized magnetoencephalography (MEG) to examine gain modulation within primary visual cortex (V1) and its connectivity with regions of the dorsal attention network (DAN) during covert attention. Twenty-five participants completed a spatial covert attention task including neutral and valid cues. MEG was recorded and eye position monitored throughout the task. The CRF and its relevant parameters were modeled using peak V1 evoked responses. Cue-related alpha-band desynchronization within contralateral V1 and event-related spectral perturbations across DAN regions were assessed by wavelet analysis. Weighted phase-lag index was used to examine DAN-V1 functional connectivity. Valid cue trials produced increased CRF maxima without a significant impact on mid-saturation or baseline levels. Alpha desynchronization was observed between 10 and 12 Hz during cue presentation in V1. DAN-V1 functional connectivity, most robust within 10-12 Hz, was uniquely associated with larger asymptotic V1 response levels within this range. MEG recordings revealed a pattern of V1 response gain during covert attention associated with DAN-V1 connectivity, advancing our knowledge of this network's frequency-specific influence over gain modulation within basic visual processing centers. These findings highlight the advantages of MEG for examining interactions between sensory and attentional gain properties of the human visual system, providing a comprehensive understanding of their underlying local and distributed network dynamics.