Search and Attention: Interactions of the Hippocampal-Septal Axis, Adrenocortical and Gonadal Hormones

OADES, R. D. Search and attention: Interactions of the hippocampal-septal axis, adrenocortical and gonadal hormones. NEUROSCI. BIOBEHAV. REV. 3(1) 31--48, 1979.--The phenomenon of attention is treated in terms of the ability to select some sensory input channels over others by the central nervous system for further processing and behavioural organisation. Studies of birds and mammals are reviewed to illustrate two major points. The physiological interaction of the hippoeampus and septum modulated by ACTH, adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones have an important influence on the selective aspects of perception. The theme is developed that some of these interactions mediate one of the attributes of an attention process; namely the ability to direct attention to salient stimuli to the exclusion of irrelevant background.