Data from: Feedforward attentional selection in sensory cortex

Salient objects grab attention because they stand out from their surroundings. Whether this phenomenon is accomplished by bottom-up sensory processing or requires top-down guidance is debated. We tested these alternative hypotheses by measuring how early and in which cortical layer(s) neural spiking distinguished a target from a distractor. We measured synaptic and spiking activity across cortical columns in mid-level area V4 of male macaque monkeys performing visual search for a color singleton. A neural signature of attentional capture was observed in the earliest response in the input layer 4. The magnitude of this response predicted response time and accuracy. Errant behavior followed errant selection. Because this response preceded top-down influences and arose in the cortical layer not targeted by top-down connections, these findings demonstrate that feedforward activation of sensory cortex can underlie attentional priority.Data are formatted for use in MATLAB. ReadMe contains information pertinent to the dataset variables.Funding provided by: National Eye InstituteCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000053Award Number: F31EY031293Funding provided by: National Eye InstituteCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000053Award Number: P30EY008126Funding provided by: National Eye InstituteCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000053Award Number: R01EY008890Funding provided by: National Eye InstituteCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000053Award Number: R01EY019882Funding provided by: National Eye InstituteCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000053Award Number: R01EY027402Funding provided by: National Eye InstituteCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000053Award Number: T32EY007135Funding provided by: Office of the DirectorCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000179Award Number: S10OD021771Funding provided by: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000038Award Number: RGPIN-2022-04592Data were collected using linear multielectrode arrays positioned orthogonal to area V4 in the prelunate gyrus of two macaque monkeys performing a visual search task