Distractions are everywhere, yet our brains are able to focus while filtering distracting stimuli. However, the neural mechanisms that enable us to respond to target stimuli while ignoring distractor stimuli are poorly understood. Now researchers at the University of California (UC), Riverside, have discovered the answer. Experimenting on mice, the researchers were able to pinpoint the area in the brain where distracting stimuli are blocked. The blocking disables the brain from processing these stimuli, which allows concentration on a particular task to proceed.
