Yoad Ben Adiva

Sagol School of Neuroscience , Tel Aviv University

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of attention in neurotypical and ADHD populations

Project description

This project examines the spatiotemporal micro-dynamics of visual attention in neurotypical individuals and individuals diagnosed with ADHD.

Traditional studies often treat fixations as static snapshots of visual processing, neglecting the intricate temporal and spatial attentional fluctuations that occur within a single fixation. These subtle attentional shifts can be fundamental to active sensing, shaping when, where, and how we perceive and process visual information. These attentional micro-dynamics may serve as core-mechanism underlying broader key learning process such as sustained attention, distraction avoidance and visual exploration.

To capture these spatiotemporal dynamics, I will employ controlled visual tasks that use precisely timed stimuli combined with the simultaneous co-registration of EEG and eye-tracking. The primary goal is to reveal how attentional timing and spatial allocation are modulated at a millisecond scale and to examine whether these patterns differ between neurotypical individuals and those with ADHD. Ultimately, this research aims to assess how these mechanisms generalize to more complex, naturalistic, and educational settings and outcomes and to explore the potential for targeted interventions to enhance attentional control. Through this comprehensive approach, the proposed project seeks to advance both theoretical understanding and practical solutions for managing attentional challenges in ADHD.

About me

I hold a BA in Psychology and Communication and an MA in Applied Neuropsychology, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. During my MA, I gained valuable clinical neuropsychology training and research experience. I am currently a PhD candidate at the Sagol School of Neuroscience, in Tel Aviv University, working under the supervision of Prof. Shlomit Yuval-Greenberg. My research focuses on the micro-level spatiotemporal dynamics of cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying visual attention and perception.