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How the Brain Selects Between Perception and Memory
Everyday behavior depends on the brain’s ability to shift attention seamlessly between external sensory inputs and internal mental representations.
External attention helps us select and prioritize incoming stimuli, while internal attention guides memory, plans, and imagination.
Both rely on overlapping frontoparietal networks, though internal attention uniquely engages additional prefrontal regions.
Research shows these shifts incur measurable behavioral costs, hinting at underlying neural bottlenecks or competition.
Yet, spatial attention mechanisms appear equally fast across domains, suggesting bottlenecks may emerge at later processing stages.
Understanding these dynamics could improve models of flexible cognition and reveal targets for addressing attentional deficits in disorders.