Attentional Networks

Attention is the flexible allocation of cognitive resources toward stimuli, internal representations, and outputs that are currently most important for the accomplishment of a behavioral goal. The brain's attention system consists of networks of areas that are anatomically separate from its sensorimotor processors. The main functions of these attentional networks are responding to alerting stimuli, shifting attention in response to cues, and exerting voluntary control over selective attention. Important nodes of attentional networks are the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex/medial superior frontal cortex, prefrontal cortex, posterior parietal cortex, and temporoparietal junction.