Research Interests

In the Memory and Attention Lab, we carry out behavioural studies in conjunction with fMRI, TMS and tDCS to understand the cognitive and neural underpinnings that support conscious and unconscious mechanisms of attention, memory and action in the healthy brain, how they relate to impairments of attention and awareness in the injured brain and how these processes can be influenced by emotional factors, cognitive training and by brain stimulation. We are keen in doing translational research, applying general principles from cognitive neuroscience in more clinical settings for the benefit of neurological patients.  You are very welcome to email me if you are interested in joining us either to volunteer in our research or to carry out a PhD or post-doctoral placement.

Selected Publications 

Soto D; Llewelyn D; Silvanto J. (2012). Distinct causal mechanisms of attentional guidance by working memory and repetition priming in early visual cortex. J Neurosci. 32:3447-3452.

Soto D, Mäntylä T, Silvanto J. (2011). Working memory without consciousness. Curr Biol. 21:R912-R913.

Soto D, Funes M, Guzmán-García A, Warbrick T, Humphreys GW (2009) Pleasant music overcomes the loss of awareness in patients with visual neglect . PNAS 106, 6011-6016

Soto D, Hodsoll JP, Rotshtein P, Humphreys GW (2008) Automatic guidance of attention from working memory. Trends Cogn Sci 12, 342-348

Soto D, Humphreys GW, Rotshtein P (2007) Dissociating the neural mechanisms of memory-based guidance of visual selection . PNAS 104, 17186-91

Soto D, Humphreys GW (2006) Seeing the content of the mind_Enhanced awarenes through working memory in patients with visual extinction . PNAS 103, 4789-4792

Soto D, Heinke D, Humphreys GW, Blanco MJ (2005). Early, involuntary top-down guidance of attention from working memory. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 31:248-261.