Name: Yunji Lee

Dissertation Proposal Meeting

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025

Time: 10:00-11:00 AM (Eastern Time)

Mode: Remote (via Zoom)

Meeting Link: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/6044346598

Dissertation Chairs/Advisor:

Eric Schumacher, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Dissertation Committee Members:

Mark Wheeler, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Thackery Brown, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Shella Keilholz, Ph.D. (Emory University/ Georgia Tech)

Eliot Hazeltine, Ph.D. (University of Iowa)

Title: Distinct roles of dorsal and ventral attention network in attentional control

Abstract: Cognitive control, the ability to integrate our thoughts and actions to achieve goal-directed behavior, is often assessed using conflict tasks, which evoke cognitive conflict from competing task information. Slower and more error-prone responses on incongruent compared to congruent trials reflect inhibitory attentional control. Low reaction time variability indicates task engagement using sustained attention. Previous fMRI studies have shown that three key brain networks are activated during conflict tasks: the frontal-parietal network, the dorsal attention network, and the ventral attention network. The functional connectivity of dorsal and ventral attention networks plays a crucial role in attentional control. Additionally, the anti-correlation between the attentional networks and the default mode network plays an important role in task engagement. However, no previous studies have examined the relationship between dynamic functional connectivity patterns and behavioral performance during conflict processing. The current study aims to investigate the neural dynamics of two distinct aspects of attentional control during a conflict task: conflict resolution (trial-level) and task engagement (task-level). By analyzing the co-activation patterns of dorsal and ventral attention networks during the flanker task, I hypothesize that task engagement, measured by reaction time variability, will be linked to the dorsal attention network, whereas conflict resolution, as indexed by the reaction time differences between incongruent and congruent condition, will be associated with the ventral attention network. By suggesting the distinct roles of dorsal and ventral attention networks, this study will provide a deeper understanding of how attentional control in task-level and trial-level operate during conflict processing and its underlying neural mechanisms.