User:Graeme E. Smith/GreySmith-LaBerge Triangular Circuit Attention Protocol 1

This is one of a series of three protocols based on David LaBerges Triangular Circuit Theory of Attention. This actual protocol was suggested by David LaBerge as an extension of the series of GSATP1, and GSITP1. In the triangular circuit theory, David LaBerge noted that three areas of the brain all had to light up for a memory to become conscious. The Cortex, the Prefrontal Cortex and the Thalamus. In Attentional Control, Brief and Prolonged, LaBerge went on to implicate Laminae V pyramidal cells in the circuit. GSITP1 linked Laminae V activity to Explicit Access of implicit memory. In this protocol we consider the hypothesis that there is more than one role for Laminae V, and that we can dissociate the roles by the intensity, or characteristics of activity in Laminae V. The hypothesis is that Thalamus Activity is highest for novel stimuli, and lowest for familiar stimuli, and therefore Laminae V activity should also reduce for familiar stimuli.

        The base protocol for this series of protocols is very similar to GSITP1, Essentially animals are prepared after a few controls are taken, by injecting fluorescent Dyes that fluoresce when the cell is active. Two colors of fluorescent dyes are used one for laminae II/III and one for laminae V. By monitoring the brightness of the two colors the activity levels of the two layers can be compared. This allows us to synchronize graphs of the output of the two colors to see how signals in laminae V correspond to activity in Laminae II/III. Because this is done with live animals and a window is fitted over the affected area, Multiple experiments can be done with the same animals, making this a natural follow-up experiment for GSITP1 since it can be used to compare the same brain areas under different conditions.
        The main difference between this protocol and GSITP1 is the psychological tests used. In GSITP1 we wanted to dissociate the implicit and explicit memory accesses. In this protocol we want to dissociate between Familiar and Novel stimuli, and between two levels of activity in the same tissue layer(Laminae V). To accurately do this, we might want to fit light detector apparatus to the windows in the skulls of the animals under study, and monitor light levels of the frequency associated with Laminae V. A graph of the light levels can then be taken for each animal as it goes through the familiar and novel tests, using some random arrangement of tests in order to keep an order bias from appearing in the data. The graphs should be analyzed to find any common characteristics to the graphs of familiar and novel stimuli, and once that is done a characteristic that is unique to familiar stimuli, and a characteristic that is unique to novel stimuli selected to allow dissociation between the two. If this dissociation can be done, and the characteristics of Novel stimuli support the concept that the Laminae V cells are more active with novel stimuli, the experiment will be a success, and will confirm the contention that Laminae V activity reduces with familiar stimuli.
        This is an important distinction because it implies two things, that Bottom-up (Thalamic Based) attention levels are variable, and that there might be two or more forms of bottom-up Attention. If however Laminae V cells become inactive instead of just reducing their activity, with familiar stimuli, it might indicate a direct link between the cerebral cortex, and Top-down memory that bypasses the thalamic connection altogether.