Early detection and late cognitive control of emotional distraction by the prefrontal cortex

• DOI: 10.1038/srep10046
• Publication Date: 2015-06-12T14:58:32Z
• Authors: Javier García-Pacios; Pilar Garcés; David Del Río; Fernando Maestú
• Keywords: Magnetoencephalography; Attentional control

Abstract Unpleasant emotional distraction can impair the retention of non-emotional information in working memory (WM). Research links prefrontal cortex with successful control such biologically relevant distractors, although temporal changes this brain mechanism remain unexplored. We use magnetoencephalography to investigate dynamics cognitive both unpleasant and pleasant distraction, millisecond (ms) scale. Behavioral results demonstrate that events do not affect WM maintenance more than neutral ones. Neuroimaging show cortices are recruited for rapid detection at early latencies processing (70-130 ms). Later (360-450 ms), dorsolateral, medial orbital sections mediate effective distraction. In accordance behavioral performance, distractors require higher activity These findings extend our knowledge about mechanisms coping WM. particular, they first time overriding attentional capture triggered by while maintaining task-relevant elements mind, is based on linked-to-survival its later cortex.