Skip to main content

Dorsal Attention Network

Meaning

The Dorsal Attention Network (DAN) is a large-scale, bilateral neural circuit in the human brain primarily responsible for the top-down, voluntary control of spatial attention and working memory. This network is crucial for maintaining focus on specific locations or features, especially during goal-directed tasks, allowing for selective processing of sensory information. It involves key brain regions, including the frontal eye fields and the superior parietal lobule, working together to direct and sustain cognitive resources. Optimal function of the DAN is a vital metric of cognitive health, particularly as it relates to executive function and the ability to ignore distractions.