Neural bases of sustained attention during naturalistic parent-infant interactions

Abstract

Abstract Sustained attention—the ability to maintain focus on a particular location or object for an extended period of time—is a fundamental skill during development. It enables the developing child to acquire information about their environment, facilitating information processing and supporting memory. Despite its critical role in development, little is known about the neural mechanisms that support this ability. Building on insights from the ECG literature on sustained attention, the present study sought to address some of the challenges associated with neuroimaging research in developmental populations. Specifically, we developed and assessed the validity of a novel fNIRS protocol to study visual sustained attention within naturalistic contexts. Results indicated the involvement of left temporo-parietal areas during sustained attention in infancy. Furthermore, validation of the protocol demonstrated that different attentional states can effectively serve as baselines for studying specific components of attention. This new approach holds significant promise for future research aimed at extending the study of the neural substrates of attention to naturalistic settings.