Why do we sometimes find it easy to stay focused, while at other times we struggle to do so? A new study from the laboratories of Florian Engert at Harvard, Hanna Zwaka's research group at LIN and Armin Bahl at the University of Konstanz shows how attention arises and what influences it. The researchers demonstrate that genes and the environment interact in this process, albeit in different ways.
The flow of attention
To better understand this, the researchers studied the behaviour of zebrafish as a model organism. The behaviour of these animals makes it possible to distinguish very precisely between internal and external influences. In their natural habitat, zebrafish swim against the current. In the laboratory, this behaviour was replicated using a moving pattern. Usually, the fish follow the stimulus, but not always.
Tired fish explore their environment less and are very focused on following the stimulus that gives them direction.
Hanna Zwaka wanted to know whether undemanding fish also exist among well-rested ones. To find out, Florian Engert's laboratory staff member Kumaresh Krishnan analysed existing research data in a new way. This revealed that the fish switch between alert and non-alert phases. This occurred regardless of whether they were well-rested or not.
While this was not initially the focus of the research, it was so striking that Krishnan decided to pursue it further.
Attention is not a permanent state
Just as we sometimes lose our train of thought while reading, fish also switch between focusing and becoming distracted. Kumaresh observed them closely in order to determine when the animals focus their attention on a stimulus and when they do not. He collaborated with Armin Bahl from Konstanz to develop mathematical models.
He discovered two things:
- How often attention is activated.
- How effective it is when it is present.
This distinction shows that genes influence whether attention arises. However, the environment determines how effectively it is utilised.
People who are fundamentally able to concentrate do not always respond equally well. It is the environment in which we grow up that makes the difference. Noise, a variety of stimuli, lack of sleep and stress can all impact performance, even if we have inherited the ability to pay attention. Therefore, while the environment does not determine whether we are attentive, it does determine how good we are at it.
Why this is important
Attention plays a key role in our everyday lives, helping us to recognise dangers, make decisions and learn new things. Understanding how attention develops can help us to better understand why it is sometimes impaired, for example in ADHD.
This knowledge could lead to more targeted treatments and environments that support concentration in everyday life, at school and at work.
Small fish, big help!
Zebrafish are particularly well suited to this research because their brains and nerve cells share many fundamental similarities with human brains and nerve cells. They are vertebrates, like us, and they use similar neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine. Their brain structures, genes and signalling pathways are comparable to ours, but their brains are much smaller and transparent, providing valuable insights into the activity of living nerve cells. As the basic mechanisms are similar, findings from zebrafish can easily be transferred to other animals and, ultimately, humans.
Research is teamwork
The study is a joint project between Florian Engert's team at Harvard University, Hanna Zwaka at LIN, and Armin Bahl from the University of Konstanz. They are all united by a curiosity about how attention arises and how this knowledge can change our understanding of behaviour and learning.