Decoding Attentional State to Faces and Scenes Using EEG Brainwaves

Attention is the ability to facilitate processing perceptually salient information while blocking the irrelevant information to an ongoing task. For example, visual attention is a complex phenomenon of searching for a target while filtering out competing stimuli. In the present study, we developed a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Reza Abiri, Soheil Borhani, Yang Jiang, Xiaopeng Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Complexity
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/6862031
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849693558629466112
author Reza Abiri
Soheil Borhani
Yang Jiang
Xiaopeng Zhao
author_facet Reza Abiri
Soheil Borhani
Yang Jiang
Xiaopeng Zhao
author_sort Reza Abiri
collection DOAJ
description Attention is the ability to facilitate processing perceptually salient information while blocking the irrelevant information to an ongoing task. For example, visual attention is a complex phenomenon of searching for a target while filtering out competing stimuli. In the present study, we developed a new Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) platform to decode brainwave patterns during sustained attention in a participant. Scalp electroencephalography (EEG) signals using a wireless headset were collected in real time during a visual attention task. In our experimental protocol, we primed participants to discriminate a sequence of composite images. Each image was a fair superimposition of a scene and a face image. The participants were asked to respond to the intended subcategory (e.g., indoor scenes) while withholding their responses for the irrelevant subcategories (e.g., outdoor scenes). We developed an individualized model using machine learning techniques to decode attentional state of the participant based on their brainwaves. Our model revealed the instantaneous attention towards face and scene categories. We conducted the experiment with six volunteer participants. The average decoding accuracy of our model was about 77%, which was comparable with a former study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The present work was an attempt to reveal momentary level of sustained attention using EEG signals. The platform may have potential applications in visual attention evaluation and closed-loop brainwave regulation in future.
format Article
id doaj-art-2fea9e243f5547508f2ba691d159db0f
institution DOAJ
issn 1076-2787
1099-0526
language English
publishDate 2019-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Complexity
spelling doaj-art-2fea9e243f5547508f2ba691d159db0f2025-08-20T03:20:22ZengWileyComplexity1076-27871099-05262019-01-01201910.1155/2019/68620316862031Decoding Attentional State to Faces and Scenes Using EEG BrainwavesReza Abiri0Soheil Borhani1Yang Jiang2Xiaopeng Zhao3Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco/Berkeley, CA 94158, USADepartment of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USADepartment of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, USADepartment of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USAAttention is the ability to facilitate processing perceptually salient information while blocking the irrelevant information to an ongoing task. For example, visual attention is a complex phenomenon of searching for a target while filtering out competing stimuli. In the present study, we developed a new Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) platform to decode brainwave patterns during sustained attention in a participant. Scalp electroencephalography (EEG) signals using a wireless headset were collected in real time during a visual attention task. In our experimental protocol, we primed participants to discriminate a sequence of composite images. Each image was a fair superimposition of a scene and a face image. The participants were asked to respond to the intended subcategory (e.g., indoor scenes) while withholding their responses for the irrelevant subcategories (e.g., outdoor scenes). We developed an individualized model using machine learning techniques to decode attentional state of the participant based on their brainwaves. Our model revealed the instantaneous attention towards face and scene categories. We conducted the experiment with six volunteer participants. The average decoding accuracy of our model was about 77%, which was comparable with a former study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The present work was an attempt to reveal momentary level of sustained attention using EEG signals. The platform may have potential applications in visual attention evaluation and closed-loop brainwave regulation in future.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/6862031
spellingShingle Reza Abiri
Soheil Borhani
Yang Jiang
Xiaopeng Zhao
Decoding Attentional State to Faces and Scenes Using EEG Brainwaves
Complexity
title Decoding Attentional State to Faces and Scenes Using EEG Brainwaves
title_full Decoding Attentional State to Faces and Scenes Using EEG Brainwaves
title_fullStr Decoding Attentional State to Faces and Scenes Using EEG Brainwaves
title_full_unstemmed Decoding Attentional State to Faces and Scenes Using EEG Brainwaves
title_short Decoding Attentional State to Faces and Scenes Using EEG Brainwaves
title_sort decoding attentional state to faces and scenes using eeg brainwaves
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/6862031
work_keys_str_mv AT rezaabiri decodingattentionalstatetofacesandscenesusingeegbrainwaves
AT soheilborhani decodingattentionalstatetofacesandscenesusingeegbrainwaves
AT yangjiang decodingattentionalstatetofacesandscenesusingeegbrainwaves
AT xiaopengzhao decodingattentionalstatetofacesandscenesusingeegbrainwaves