Definition and Neurophysiological Structure of Attention
Definition and Neurophysiological Structure of Attention

Summary/Abstract: This study attempts to define the subject of attention, which is at the forefront of cognitive skills that are required for daily life. This review aims to determine attention and understand its neurophysiological structure, as well as to elucidate the distinctions in terms of orientation, detection, and alertness functions in more detail. In addition, along with the explanation of attention-related disorders and their symptoms, suggestions that can be used in treatment and rehabilitation processes have been presented, and an individual, social, and technological perspective has been provided for the studies to be carried out in the future. Attention, defined in the simplest sense as the ability to focus on a location, object, or message, is a cognitive process necessary for cognitive functions such as perception, learning, memory, decision-making, and reasoning skills. The subfunctions of attention, orientation, detection, and alertness have been defined. Cortex areas related to attention and different aspects of attention have been reviewed, supported by neuropsychological study findings related to attention. Based on the findings obtained from the studies, evidence indicates that attention has a neurophysiological structure that spreads over very different areas of the brain. In particular, an increase in parietal cortex activity in tasks related to attention is among the common findings of the studies. In addition, functional differences have been revealed between the right and left hemispheres during attention processing. In addition, studies on developmental, neurocognitive, and mood disorders in which attention function is impaired have been reviewed.

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