Cognitive neuroscience of attention control in autism and ADHD

Attention control is a fundamental cognitive function that allows us to interact with our environment effectively. When perceptually salient distracting non-relevant information is present attention control processes are called upon to regulate the ensuing conflict and inhibit the distractors, or similarly to shift attention between competing inputs according to the current goal. Consequently, when atypicality in these processes is present it can have an overarching effect on human behaviour – from learning and academic attainment to anxiety and mental health. While attention atypicality is presumably obvious in ADHD, it is also manifest in other conditions such as autism (which has very high co-occurrence with ADHD) as well as in Psychosis (and the broader spectrum of their traits in neurotypical participants; e.g., Abu-akel et al., 2018).

The attention control tendencies in these conditions not only fit with the pattern of behaviour in attention experiments per se. but may also be associated with more complex behaviours in the conditions. It is therefore critical to understand the possible modulation of the attention control system and to identify the brain mechanisms that are underlying attention performance in these conditions. Previous work (including in our lab; e.g., Bravo Balsa et al., 2024; Kolodny et al., 2020, Smullen et al., 2025) have pointed to suspected nodes of the DMN and Dorsal and Ventral attention networks (Precuneus, IPS and TPJ, respectively) as foci of modulation of the attention control system in autism and ADHD.

The proposed project will apply converging operations with a focus on brain stimulation (TMS) and brain imaging (fMRI and/or fNIRS) to provide a functional brain mechanistic framework for understanding attention control atypicality in autism and ADHD. This work may also pave the way for future intervention targets in the conditions from both a behaviour and neuroscience perspectives.

The project will be conducted within the Centre for Human Brain Health (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/centre-for-human-brain-health), which is a state-of-the-art neuroimaging centre with dedicated facilities for studying the human brain.

Interested students should have basic knowledge of cognitive neuroscience but will be trained in using the study methodologies (e.g., TMS). For students interested in fMRI/fNIRS some knowledge in coding will be beneficial.

This project is self-funded. UK and overseas applicants (with 1/2.1 class degree and masters degree, or equivalent) are eligible to apply for the position. As you will need financial support to cover tuition fees and living costs, you should identify potential sources of funding – for example, via scholarships from government funding agencies, charities, industries, national funding (overseas students), or other sources – and contact the lead supervisor by email to discuss this BEFORE submitting a formal application. You should also include a current CV and a statement of interest in your initial email to the lead supervisor.

References:

Abu-Akel, A., Apperly, I., Sapniol, M.M., Geng, J.J., & Mevorach, C. (2018). Diametric effects of autism tendencies and psychosis proneness on attention control irrespective of task demands. Scientific Reports, 8, Article Number 8478

Bravo Balsa, L., Abu-akel, A., & Mevorach, C. (2024). Dynamic functional connectivity in the right temporoparietal junction captures variations in male autistic trait expression. Autism Research, 17 (4), 702-715.

Kolodny, T., Mevorach, C., Stern, P., Biderman, N., Ankaoua, M., Tsafrir, S., & Shalev, L. (2020). Fronto-parietal engagement in response inhibition is inversely scaled with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom severity. NeuroImage: Clinical, 25, 102119

Mevorach, C., Hodsoll, J., Allen H. A., Shalev, L., Humphreys, G. W. (2010). Ignoring the Elephant in the Room: A Neural Circuit to Down-regulate Salience. Journal of Neuroscience, 30, 6072-6079

Smullen D., Bashaw A. P., Shalev L., Tsafrir S., Kolodny T., & Mevorach C. (2025). White matter properties in fronto-parietal tracts predict maladaptive functional activation and deficient response inhibition in ADHD. Scientific Reports 15(1), 19906.