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Default mode network connectivity during task execution.


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Authors

Menon, DK 
Manktelow, AE 
Sahakian, BJ 
Stamatakis, EA 

Abstract

Initially described as task-induced deactivations during goal-directed paradigms of high attentional load, the unresolved functionality of default mode regions has long been assumed to interfere with task performance. However, recent evidence suggests a potential default mode network involvement in fulfilling cognitive demands. We tested this hypothesis in a finger opposition paradigm with task and fixation periods which we compared with an independent resting state scan using functional magnetic resonance imaging and a comprehensive analysis pipeline including activation, functional connectivity, behavioural and graph theoretical assessments. The results indicate task specific changes in the default mode network topography. Behaviourally, we show that increased connectivity of the posterior cingulate cortex with the left superior frontal gyrus predicts faster reaction times. Moreover, interactive and dynamic reconfiguration of the default mode network regions' functional connections illustrates their involvement with the task at hand with higher-level global parallel processing power, yet preserved small-world architecture in comparison with rest. These findings demonstrate that the default mode network does not disengage during this paradigm, but instead may be involved in task relevant processing.

Description

Keywords

Default mode network, Finger opposition task, Functional connectivity, Graph theory, Hierarchical clustering, Adult, Brain, Brain Mapping, Cognition, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Female, Frontal Lobe, Gyrus Cinguli, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Neurological, Motor Activity, Neural Pathways, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Young Adult

Journal Title

Neuroimage

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1053-8119
1095-9572

Volume Title

122

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Evelyn Trust (unknown)
The Evelyn Trust (RUAG/018) provided the required funding for this research. Additionally, D Vatansever is funded by the Yousef Jameel Academic Program administered via the Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust; DK Menon is supported by funding from the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Centre (RCZB/004), and an NIHRSenior Investigator Award (RCZB/014), and EA Stamatakis is funded by the Stephen Erskine Fellowship Queens' College Cambridge. We would also like to thank Sanja Abbott for programming the stimulus delivery, Dr. Guy Williams and Victoria Lupson and the rest of the staff in the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre (WBIC) at Addenbrooke's Hospital for their assistance in scanning. Last but not least, we thank all the participants for their contribution to this study.