Abstract: Objective To explore the role of left frontoparietal pathway in controlling spatial attentional function. Methods 60 healthy, right-handed humans (30 males and 30 females) aged 18~22 years were recruited. They were divided into frontal group (n=30) and parietal group (n=30) in accordance with sex for either the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or the left posterior parietal cortex stimuli study, respectively. They were measured with the Attention Network Test following the continuous theta burst stimulation to the left frontoparietal pathway. Results During the Attention Network Test, the efficiencies of alerting network improved in participants after both the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left posterior parietal cortex stimuli. However, the efficiency of orienting network was deficit after the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimuli. Conclusion Inhibition of the left frontoparietal pathway may improve the alerting function of spatial attention network.

Key words: spatial attention network, frontoparietal pathway, theta burst stimulation, neurol inhibition