The distinct role of human PIT in attention control

Abstract

Attentional distribution depends on both endogenous and exogenous processes, but how they interact in attention allocation remains unclear. The attentional priority map, jointly determined by stimulus saliency and task relevance, provides a framework for investigating their interplay. We propose that the human posterior inferotemporal cortex (hPIT), located near object-processing cortical areas, serves as an attentional priority map. Using fMRI with behavioral tasks, we show that hPIT shows stronger attentional modulation than classical attention regions across motion, color, and shape tasks. hPIT shows lateralized attentional enhancement even in the absence of visual input, with further elevated modulation in the presence of stimuli, indicating its integrated role in priority control. Furthermore, its modulation is invariant to stimulus category but sensitive to attentional demands, and the region is functionally connected to both dorsal and ventral attentional networks. These findings highlight the hPIT as an integrator in attentional control and provide critical insights into the brains strategy for optimizing responses to the environment.