The study by Pessoa et al. investigates whether the processing of emotional faces is automatic or requires attention. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers measured brain activation in regions that responded differently to fearful and happy faces compared to neutral faces. They then examined how these responses were modulated by attention through a competing task with a high attentional load. Contrary to previous findings, the results showed that all brain regions responding to emotional faces, including the amygdala, only activated when sufficient attentional resources were available. This suggests that the processing of facial expressions is under top-down control, rather than being automatic. The study also found that the amygdala's response to emotional stimuli was modulated by attention, indicating that it plays a key role in the valuation of stimuli. The findings challenge the notion that emotional stimuli are processed independently of attention and highlight the importance of attention in the neural processing of emotional information.The study by Pessoa et al. investigates whether the processing of emotional faces is automatic or requires attention. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers measured brain activation in regions that responded differently to fearful and happy faces compared to neutral faces. They then examined how these responses were modulated by attention through a competing task with a high attentional load. Contrary to previous findings, the results showed that all brain regions responding to emotional faces, including the amygdala, only activated when sufficient attentional resources were available. This suggests that the processing of facial expressions is under top-down control, rather than being automatic. The study also found that the amygdala's response to emotional stimuli was modulated by attention, indicating that it plays a key role in the valuation of stimuli. The findings challenge the notion that emotional stimuli are processed independently of attention and highlight the importance of attention in the neural processing of emotional information.