Abstract
Working memory (WM) refers to the temporary holding and manipulation of information during the performance of a range of cognitive tasks, and WM training is a promising method for improving an individual’s cognitive functions. Our previous work demonstrated that WM performance can be improved through self-regulation of dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation using real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI), which enables individuals to control local brain activities volitionally according to the neurofeedback. Furthermore, research concerning large-scale brain networks has demonstrated that WM training requires the engagement of several networks, including the central executive network (CEN), the default mode network (DMN) and the salience network (SN), and functional connectivity within the CEN and DMN can be changed by WM training. Although a switching role of the SN between the CEN and DMN has been demonstrated, it remains unclear whether WM training can affect the interactions between the three networks and whether a similar mechanism also exists during the training process. In this study, we investigated the dynamic functional connectivity between the three networks during the rtfMRI feedback training using independent component analysis (ICA) and correlation analysis. The results indicated that functional connectivity within and between the three networks were significantly enhanced by feedback training, and most of the changes were associated with the insula and correlated with behavioral improvements. These findings suggest that the insula plays a critical role in the reorganization of functional connectivity among the three networks induced by rtfMRI training and in WM performance, thus providing new insights into the mechanisms of high-level functions and the clinical treatment of related functional impairments.
Highlights
Research on large-scale brain networks in cognition have achieved great progress since this paradigm was proposed
The default mode network (DMN) was anchored in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), bilateral middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and angular gyrus (AG)
The present study investigated the interactions induced by the self-regulation of left DLPFC (lDLPFC) among the three core networks, including the central executive network (CEN), DMN and salience network (SN), in a Working memory (WM) feedback training experiment using real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI)
Summary
Research on large-scale brain networks in cognition have achieved great progress since this paradigm was proposed. Impact of real-time memory training insight into the neural basis of cognition (Bressler and Menon, 2010) Among these functional brain networks, the central executive network (CEN; Petrides, 2005; Koechlin and Summerfield, 2007), the default-mode network (DMN; Raichle et al, 2001; Greicius et al, 2003; Zhu et al, 2013), and the salience network (SN; Downar et al, 2002; Critchley et al, 2004), which are known to be involved in working memory (WM), are considered the three core neurocognitive networks due to their critical roles in high-level cognition (Uddin et al, 2011). Menon proposed a triple network model that helped synthesize them into a common framework for understanding dysfunction in these core neurocognitive networks across multiple disorders (Menon, 2011)
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