Anticipatory processes in brain state switching - evidence from a novel cued-switching task implicating default mode and salience networks.
The default mode network (DMN) is the core brain system supporting internally oriented cognition. The ability to attenuate the DMN when switching to externally oriented processing is a prerequisite for effective performance and adaptive self-regulation. Right anterior insula (rAI), a core hub of the salience network (SN), has been proposed to control the switching from DMN to task-relevant brain networks. Little is currently known about the extent of anticipatory processes subserved by DMN and SN during switching. We investigated anticipatory DMN and SN modulation using a novel cued-switching task of between-state (rest-to-task/task-to-rest) and within-state (task-to-task) transitions. Twenty healthy adults performed the task implemented in an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) design. Increases in activity were observed in the DMN regions in response to cues signalling upcoming rest. DMN attenuation was observed for rest-to-task switch cues. Obversely, DMN was up-regulated by task-to-rest cues. The strongest rAI response was observed to rest-to-task switch cues. Task-to-task switch cues elicited smaller rAI activation, whereas no significant rAI activation occurred for task-to-rest switches. Our data provide the first evidence that DMN modulation occurs rapidly and can be elicited by short duration cues signalling rest- and task-related state switches. The role of rAI appears to be limited to certain switch types - those implicating transition from a resting state and to tasks involving active cognitive engagement.
Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium. Electronic address: Justina.Sidlauskaite@UGent.be.
Justina
J
Sidlauskaite
Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
Jan R
JR
Wiersema
Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
Herbert
H
Roeyers
Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
Ruth M
RM
Krebs
Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
Eliana
E
Vassena
Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium; Ghent Institute for Functional and Metabolic Imaging, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
Wim
W
Fias
Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
Marcel
M
Brass
Ghent Institute for Functional and Metabolic Imaging, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
Eric
E
Achten
Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium; Developmental Brain-Behaviour Unit, Psychology, University of Southampton, Shackleton Building (B44), Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
Edmund
E
Sonuga-Barke
D000328:Adult; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Default mode network; Insula; Resting state; State-switching; Task-switching; fMRI