The human brain is intrinsically organized into dynamic, anticorrelated functional networks.
During performance of attention-demanding cognitive tasks, certain regions of the brain routinely increase activity, whereas others routinely decrease activity. In this study, we investigate the extent to which this task-related dichotomy is represented intrinsically in the resting human brain through examination of spontaneous fluctuations in the functional MRI blood oxygen level-dependent signal. We identify two diametrically opposed, widely distributed brain networks on the basis of both spontaneous correlations within each network and anticorrelations between networks. One network consists of regions routinely exhibiting task-related activations and the other of regions routinely exhibiting task-related deactivations. This intrinsic organization, featuring the presence of anticorrelated networks in the absence of overt task performance, provides a critical context in which to understand brain function. We suggest that both task-driven neuronal responses and behavior are reflections of this dynamic, ongoing, functional organization of the brain.
Department of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. foxm@npg.wustl.edu
Michael D
MD
Fox
Abraham Z
AZ
Snyder
Justin L
JL
Vincent
Maurizio
M
Corbetta
David C
DC
Van Essen
Marcus E
ME
Raichle
D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008959:Models, Neurological; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
D010100:Oxygen