The Attention Switch Hiding in Your Oldest Brain Region

Johns Hopkins scientists found attention is controlled by inhibitory neurons in the ancient brainstem, not just the prefrontal cortex.

Silencing these neurons made mice hyper-distractible; reactivating them restored focus the next day.

The circuit exists in all vertebrates, including birds and fish, predating the primate prefrontal cortex.

Even faint distractors hijacked attention when the neurons were off, closely mirroring a hallmark of ADHD.

Researchers now want to measure this circuit's activity in people with ADHD and autism to guide treatment.