Examination of appropriate stimuli to attention inducement

The aim of this study is to consider the appropriate element of the stimulation for subjects by observation of fMRI. The stimulus is used for suggesting the direction to the people. In this study, we have attempted to observe the brain activation during different kind of visual stimulus such as doll (teddy bear), arrow and Japanese character (Hiragana), and auditory stimulus. Twelve normal subjects consented to participate in this study. While the subject was watching the visual stimulus or hearing the auditory stimulus, the brain activity was examined through fMRI. As results, the activation of cerebral cortex by the visual stimuli was less than by the auditory stimuli and the simultaneous stimuli. Therefore, it is suggested that the visual stimuli is appropriate when it is necessary to quickly select the direction. Additionally, among the visual stimuli, the reaction time of the arrow was the smallest standard deviation (SD), and activated cerebellum as well as supplementary motor area. The teddy bear had activated dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontal pole, but it took time to react. Therefore, it was suggested that the arrow was appropriate when it was necessary for various people to select the direction, and that the teddy bear was appropriate when it is necessary to impress.