Ancient Brain Circuit Acts as an Attention Switch, Potential ADHD Clue
Johns Hopkins researchers identified an evolutionarily ancient cluster of inhibitory neurons (the PLTi) in mice that act as an attention switch by modulating the midbrain’s superior colliculus. Silencing these neurons makes mice hyper-distractible, while reactivating them restores focus, suggesting a conserved mechanism for selective spatial attention that could inform human ADHD research, though further studies are needed.