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Alertness and Vigilance Control

Meaning

Alertness and Vigilance Control describes the physiological and neurological mechanisms responsible for maintaining a state of high readiness, encompassing the capacity to sustain attention and detect subtle environmental changes over extended periods. This critical cognitive function is essential for safe and effective daily functioning. It represents the delicate balance between arousal and focused concentration, governed by ascending neuromodulatory systems. Clinical assessment often examines the duration and quality of this sustained, non-fatigued attentional state.