Brain Default Mode Network Research Articles

Sex Differences in the Default Mode Network with Regard to Autism Spectrum Traits: A Resting State fMRI Study.

Autism spectrum traits exist on a continuum and are more common in males than in females, but the basis for this sex difference is unclear. To this end, the present study draws on the extreme male brain theory, investigating the relationship between sex difference and the default mode network (DMN), both known to be associated with autism spectrum traits. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out in 42 females (mean age ± standard deviation, 22.4 ± 4.2 years) and 43 males (mean age ± standard deviation, 23.8 ± 3.9 years) with typical development. Using a combination of different analyses (viz., independent component analysis (ICA), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and seed-based analyses), we examined sex differences in the DMN and the relationship to autism spectrum traits as measured by autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) scores. We found significant differences between female and male subjects in DMN brain regions, with seed-based analysis revealing a significant negative correlation between default-mode resting state functional connectivity of the anterior medial prefrontal cortex seed (aMPFC) and AQ scores in males. However, there were no relationships between DMN sex differences and autism spectrum traits in females. Our findings may provide important insight into the skewed balance of functional connectivity in males compared to females that could serve as a potential biomarker of the degree of autism spectrum traits in line with the extreme male brain theory.

Long-term meditation training induced changes in the operational synchrony of default mode network modules during a resting state.

Using theoretical analysis of self-consciousness concept and experimental evidence on the brain default mode network (DMN) that constitutes the neural signature of self-referential processes, we hypothesized that the anterior and posterior subnets comprising the DMN should show differences in their integrity as a function of meditation training. Functional connectivity within DMN and its subnets (measured by operational synchrony) has been measured in ten novice meditators using an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording in a pre-/post-meditation intervention design. We have found that while the whole DMN was clearly suppressed, different subnets of DMN responded differently after 4 months of meditation training: The strength of EEG operational synchrony in the right and left posterior modules of the DMN decreased in resting post-meditation condition compared to a pre-meditation condition, whereas the frontal DMN module on the contrary exhibited an increase in the strength of EEG operational synchrony. These findings combined with published data on functional-anatomic heterogeneity within the DMN and on trait subjective experiences commonly found following meditation allow us to propose that the first-person perspective and the sense of agency (the witnessing observer) are presented by the frontal DMN module, while the posterior modules of the DMN are generally responsible for the experience of the continuity of 'I' as embodied and localized within bodily space. Significance of these findings is discussed.

Brain default mode network functional connectivity in polysubstance using emerging adults during opioid dependence treatment

s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 156 (2015) e102–e182 e181 Dynamic causal modeling in humans offers a novel approach to delineate prefrontal-striatal serotonergic drivers of impulsivity in rats Amanda E. Price1, Harshini Neelakantan1, Liangsuo Ma2, Joel L. Steinberg3, Scott D. Lane4, James M. Bjork3, P.A. Narayana5, Thomas Kosten6, Antoine Bechara7, Noelle C. Anastasio1,8, F. Gerard Moeller3,9, Kathryn A. Cunningham1,8 1 Ctr Addiction Res, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States 2 Dep Radiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States 3 Dep Psych, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States 4 Dep Psych & Behav Sci, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States 5 Dep Diag & Intervent Img, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States 6 Dep Psych, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States 7 Dep Psych, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States 8 Dep Pharm, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States 9 Dep Pharm, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States Aims: The prefrontal-striatal network is a major driver of impulsivity and altered neurotransmission in this circuit may underlie heightened impulsivity in cocaine use disorder (CUD). Serotonin transmission through 5-HT2A receptors (5-HT2AR) and 5HT2CR governs prefrontal-striatal networks. This study employed fMRI based DCM to investigate prefrontal-striatal effective connectivity underlying impulsivity in CUD. We also aim to translate our human findings to rodentmodels to analyze themodulatory role of the 5-HT systemwithin the prefrontal-striatal network that drives impulsivity. Methods: Ten control and 13 CUD subjects underwent fMRI while performing Go/NoGo tasks with Easy and Hard NoGo difficulty. Connectivity was determined via DCM analyses. Results: There were no differences in overall performance (p=0.9) or modulation effects on Easy NoGo (p=0.4) between groups. Hard NoGo influenced right dorsoand ventrolateral prefrontal connectivity to left caudate in controls but left anterior cingulate connectivity to left caudate in CUD subjects (p<0.05). Conclusions: CUD subjects utilize different connectivity during impulsive responding to perform similarly to controls. Altered topdown control may be mediated by impaired 5-HT transmission at 5-HT2AR and 5-HT2CR. Ongoing studies are testing if 5-HT2AR:5HT2CR imbalance in the prefrontal-striatal circuit shifts effective connectivity governing impulsivity in CUD. Financial support: DA020087, DA033935, DA034131, DA033374. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.674 Brain default mode network functional connectivity in polysubstance using emerging adults during opioid dependence treatment Jenessa S. Price2, Marc L. Copersino2, Gordana Vitaliano3, Scott E. Lukas3, Roger Weiss1, Amy Janes2 1 Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States 2 McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States 3 Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States Aims: The default mode network (DMN) is an interconnected set of brain regions typically active at rest and during low cognitive demand conditions. Heroin-dependent adults show DMN connectivity abnormalities correlated with lifetime heroin use. Functional organization abnormalities are especially pertinent to younger substance-using persons who have ongoing neurodevelopment, higher risk of relapse and lower treatment completion rates. This study examined brain connectivity indices and associations with acute drug use in ten emerging adult patients (ages 18–27) in partial relapse prevention treatment for opioid dependence. Methods: Patients who met DSM-IV criteria for current opioid dependence and used opiates in the past month received restingstate functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans within 24hours of admission. Potential participants were not excluded for other drug use or dependence; in most cases this included marihuana, sedatives and/or nicotine. Seven participants also met dependence criteria for at least one other substance. Imaging data wereanalyzedusingan independent componentsanalysis followed by dual regression to identify subject-specific spatial maps of the DMN. A non-parametric permutation testing method was used to correlate DMN with total days of any substance use in the past 30 days. Results: Increased drug use over the past 30 days was correlated with less connectivity between the DMN and insula, dorsal striatum and post central gyrus (cluster corrected Z=2.3, p<0.05, 5000 permutations). Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that polysubstance use is associated with functional adaptations in the DMN of emerging adults seeking treatment for opiate dependence. Further research is needed to delineate if these connectivity changes are related to recent detoxification. Financial support: T32 DA015036, K23 DA027045, K01 DA029645. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.675 Current drug scheduling reviews of synthetic cathinones by the U.S. drug enforcement administration Cassandra Prioleau, Srihari R. Tella, Michelle Walker, Sandy Ghozland, Li Fang, Jordan Trecki, Ambuja S. Bale, Artisha R. Polk, Daniel Willenbring, Liqun L. Wong, Terrence L. Boos Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, Springfield, VA, United States Aims: In accordance with the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), DEA collects and reviews scientific, medical and other data for substances with abuse potential to evaluate them for possible control under the CSA. Numerous synthetic cathinones have become

The resting-state functional connectivity of the hypothalamus and its relationships with gonadal steroid hormones and depression symptoms in perimenopausal women

This study aimed to investigate the resting-state functional connectivity of the hypothalamus and its relationships with gonadal steroid hormones and depression symptoms in perimenopausal women. Total 66 perimenopausal women voluntarily participated in this study from October 2012 to June 2013. Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) was used to assess depression symptoms. Plasma gonadal steroid hormones including estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone were determined by the chemiluminescence immunoassay. A 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner was utilized to acquire resting-state functional MRI data. The z-value functional connectivity map of each participant was calculated voxel-wisely based on the seed region of the hypothalamus. One sample t test of Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) were used to determine the brain areas with statistically significant functional connectivity to the hypothalamus, then multiple regression of SPM was used to calculate the correlated areas with 3 gonadal steroid hormones, respectively. Finally, Pearson correlation was performed to analyze bivariate correlations between mean z-values and ZSDS scores. Significant functional connectivity to the hypothalamus were found in brain areas as follows:the lateral inferior frontal gyrus, medial prefrontal cortex, dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, subgenual cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, cuneus and precuneus, hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, and angular gyrus (False Discovery Rate q<0.05). Among these areas, the plasma testosterone level was positively related to the functional connectivity strength of the right angular gyrus, and negatively related to the strengths of the right subgenual cortex and bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus to the hypothalamus (PAlphaSim<0.05). Especially, mean z-value in the subgenual cortex was positively related to the ZSDS index score (r=0.279, P=0.023), and factor scores of the core depression symptoms (r=0.278, P=0.024) and somatic symptoms (r=0.357, P=0.003). In perimenopausal women, the hypothalamus has resting-state functional connectivity with widespread areas involved in the brain depression-related network and default mode network, and the plasma androgen level may modulate the functional connectivity strengths of the hypothalamus and decrease the susceptibility of perimenopausal women to depression.

A structural group-connectome in standard stereotactic (MNI) space

A group connectome of 20 subjects has been normalized into standard stereotactic (MNI) space. Data has been processed using the Gibbs' Tracking approach (Reisert et al., 2011) [11] and normalized into standard space using DARTEL (Ashburner, 2007) [1]. All data has been acquired within the scope of the study A. Horn, D. Ostwald, M. Reisert, F. Blankenburg, The structural–functional connectome and the default mode network of the human brain, NeuroImage 102 (2013) 142–151. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.09.069. The utility of this dataset can be described by the following points: In medical studies in which subject-specific dMRI is not available, a standardized connectome may help to gain some canonical insight into white-matter connectivity. The dataset enables scientists who use different modalities (like EEG, MEG etc.) without access to MRI, to combine studies obtained using other methodology with insights from the brain's inner structural formation. The dataset could also extend possible claims made by meta-analyzes/literature-based studies.

Detection of short-term activity avalanches in human brain default mode network with ultrafast MR encephalography.

Recent studies pinpoint visually cued networks of avalanches with MEG/EEG data. Co-activation pattern (CAP) analysis can be used to detect single brain volume activity profiles and hemodynamic fingerprints of neuronal avalanches as sudden high signal activity peaks in classical fMRI data. In this study, we aimed to detect dynamic patterns of brain activity spreads with the use of ultrafast MR encephalography (MREG). MREG achieves 10 Hz whole brain sampling, allowing the estimation of spatial spread of an avalanche, even with the inherent hemodynamic delay of the BOLD signal. We developed a novel computational method to separate avalanche type fast activity spreads from motion artifacts, vasomotor fluctuations, and cardio-respiratory noise in human brain default mode network (DMN). Reproducible and classical DMN sources were identified using spatial ICA prior to advanced noise removal in order to assure that ICA converges to reproducible networks. Brain activity peaks were identified from parts of the DMN, and normalized MREG data around each peak were extracted individually to show dynamic avalanche type spreads as video clips within the DMN. Individual activity spread video clips of specific parts of the DMN were then averaged over the group of subjects. The experiments show that the high BOLD values around the peaks are mostly spreading along the spatial pattern of the particular DMN segment detected with ICA. With also the spread size and lifetime resembling the expected power law distributions, this indicates that the detected peaks are parts of activity avalanches, starting from (or crossing) the DMN. Furthermore, the split, one-sided sub-networks of the DMN show different spread directions within the same DMN framework. The results open possibilities to follow up brain activity avalanches in the hope to understand more about the system wide properties of diseases related to DMN dysfunction.

Brains striving for coherence: Long-term cumulative plot formation in the default mode network

Many everyday activities, such as engaging in conversation or listening to a story, require us to sustain attention over a prolonged period of time while integrating and synthesizing complex episodic content into a coherent mental model. Humans are remarkably capable of navigating and keeping track of all the parallel social activities of everyday life even when confronted with interruptions or changes in the environment. However, the underlying cognitive and neurocognitive mechanisms of such long-term integration and profiling of information remain a challenge to neuroscience. While brain activity is generally traceable within the short time frame of working memory (milliseconds to seconds), these integrative processes last for minutes, hours or even days. Here we report two experiments on story comprehension. Experiment I establishes a cognitive dissociation between our comprehension of plot and incidental facts in narratives: when episodic material allows for long-term integration in a coherent plot, we recall fewer factual details. However, when plot formation is challenged, we pay more attention to incidental facts. Experiment II investigates the neural underpinnings of plot formation. Results suggest a central role for the brain's default mode network related to comprehension of coherent narratives while incoherent episodes rather activate the frontoparietal control network. Moreover, an analysis of cortical activity as a function of the cumulative integration of narrative material into a coherent story reveals to linear modulations of right hemisphere posterior temporal and parietal regions. Together these findings point to key neural mechanisms involved in the fundamental human capacity for cumulative plot formation.

Wavelet-based regularity analysis reveals recurrent spatiotemporal behavior in resting-state fMRI.

One of the major findings from multimodal neuroimaging studies in the past decade is that the human brain is anatomically and functionally organized into large-scale networks. In resting state fMRI (rs-fMRI), spatial patterns emerge when temporal correlations between various brain regions are tallied, evidencing networks of ongoing intercortical cooperation. However, the dynamic structure governing the brain's spontaneous activity is far less understood due to the short and noisy nature of the rs-fMRI signal. Here, we develop a wavelet-based regularity analysis based on noise estimation capabilities of the wavelet transform to measure recurrent temporal pattern stability within the rs-fMRI signal across multiple temporal scales. The method consists of performing a stationary wavelet transform to preserve signal structure, followed by construction of "lagged" subsequences to adjust for correlated features, and finally the calculation of sample entropy across wavelet scales based on an "objective" estimate of noise level at each scale. We found that the brain's default mode network (DMN) areas manifest a higher level of irregularity in rs-fMRI time series than rest of the brain. In 25 aged subjects with mild cognitive impairment and 25 matched healthy controls, wavelet-based regularity analysis showed improved sensitivity in detecting changes in the regularity of rs-fMRI signals between the two groups within the DMN and executive control networks, compared with standard multiscale entropy analysis. Wavelet-based regularity analysis based on noise estimation capabilities of the wavelet transform is a promising technique to characterize the dynamic structure of rs-fMRI as well as other biological signals.

Voxelwise eigenvector centrality mapping of the human functional connectome reveals an influence of the catechol-O-methyltransferase val158met polymorphism on the default mode and somatomotor network.

Functional connections between brain regions constitute the substrate of the human functional connectome, whose topography has been discussed as an endophenotype for psychiatric disorders. Genetic influences on the entire connectome, however, have been rarely investigated so far. We tested for connectome-wide influences of the val158met (rs4860) polymorphism on the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene by applying formal network analysis and eigenvector centrality mapping on the voxel level to resting-state functional magnetic imaging data. This approach finds brain regions that are central in the network by aggregating local and global connectivity patterns, most importantly without the requirement to select regions or networks of interest. The COMT variant linked to high enzyme activity increased network centrality in distributed brain areas that are known to constitute the brain's default mode network. Further results also indicated a COMT influence on areas implicated in the somatomotor network. These findings are in line with the polymorphism's alleged role in cognitive processing and its role in psychotic disorders. The study is the first to demonstrate the influence of a functional and behaviorally relevant genetic variant on connectome-wide functional connectivity and is an important step toward establishing the functional connectome as an endophenotype for psychiatric and behavioral phenotypes.

The brain's default mode network.

The brain's default mode network consists of discrete, bilateral and symmetrical cortical areas, in the medial and lateral parietal, medial prefrontal, and medial and lateral temporal cortices of the human, nonhuman primate, cat, and rodent brains. Its discovery was an unexpected consequence of brain-imaging studies first performed with positron emission tomography in which various novel, attention-demanding, and non-self-referential tasks were compared with quiet repose either with eyes closed or with simple visual fixation. The default mode network consistently decreases its activity when compared with activity during these relaxed nontask states. The discovery of the default mode network reignited a longstanding interest in the significance of the brain's ongoing or intrinsic activity. Presently, studies of the brain's intrinsic activity, popularly referred to as resting-state studies, have come to play a major role in studies of the human brain in health and disease. The brain's default mode network plays a central role in this work.

Static and dynamic posterior cingulate cortex nodal topology of default mode network predicts attention task performance.

Characterization of the default mode network (DMN) as a complex network of functionally interacting dynamic systems has received great interest for the study of DMN neural mechanisms. In particular, understanding the relationship of intrinsic resting-state DMN brain network with cognitive behaviors is an important issue in healthy cognition and mental disorders. However, it is still unclear how DMN functional connectivity links to cognitive behaviors during resting-state. In this study, we hypothesize that static and dynamic DMN nodal topology is associated with upcoming cognitive task performance. We used graph theory analysis in order to understand better the relationship between the DMN functional connectivity and cognitive behavior during resting-state and task performance. Nodal degree of the DMN was calculated as a metric of network topology. We found that the static and dynamic posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) nodal degree within the DMN was associated with task performance (Reaction Time). Our results show that the core node PCC nodal degree within the DMN was significantly correlated with reaction time, which suggests that the PCC plays a key role in supporting cognitive function.

Altered functional connectivity in the brain default-mode network of earthquake survivors persists after 2 years despite recovery from anxiety symptoms.

Although acute impact of traumatic experiences on brain function in disaster survivors is similar to that observed in post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), little is known about the long-term impact of this experience. We have used structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate resting-state functional connectivity and gray and white matter (WM) changes occurring in the brains of healthy Wenchuan earthquake survivors both 3 weeks and 2 years after the disaster. Results show that while functional connectivity changes 3 weeks after the disaster involved both frontal-limbic-striatal and default-mode networks (DMN), at the 2-year follow-up only changes in the latter persisted, despite complete recovery from high initial levels of anxiety. No gray or WM volume changes were found at either time point. Taken together, our findings provide important new evidence that while altered functional connectivity in the frontal-limbic-striatal network may underlie the post-trauma anxiety experienced by survivors, parallel changes in the DMN persist despite the apparent absence of anxiety symptoms. This suggests that long-term changes occur in neural networks involved in core aspects of self-processing, cognitive and emotional functioning in disaster survivors which are independent of anxiety symptoms and which may also confer increased risk of subsequent development of PTSD.

Elevated blood pressure, cerebrovascular reactivity, and the default-mode brain network: Findings from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Brain MRI Sub-Study (P1.088)

Elevated blood pressure, cerebrovascular reactivity, and the default-mode brain network: Findings from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Brain MRI Sub-Study (P1.088)

Resting-state EEG delta power is associated with psychological pain in adults with a history of depression

Psychological pain is a prominent symptom of clinical depression. We asked if frontal alpha asymmetry, frontal EEG power, and frontal fractal dimension asymmetry predicted psychological pain in adults with a history of depression.Resting-state frontal EEG (F3/F4) was recorded while participants (N=35) sat upright with their eyes closed.Frontal delta power predicted psychological pain while controlling for depressive symptoms, with participants who exhibited less power experiencing greater psychological pain. Frontal fractal dimension asymmetry, a nonlinear measure of complexity, also predicted psychological pain, such that greater left than right complexity was associated with greater psychological pain. Frontal alpha asymmetry did not contribute unique variance to any regression model of psychological pain.As resting-state delta power is associated with the brain's default mode network, results suggest that the default mode network was less activated during high psychological pain. Findings are consistent with a state of arousal associated with psychological pain.

Functional heterogeneity in the default mode network edges.

The brain's default mode network (DMN) has attracted tremendous attention, but its topology still lacks a substantial and operative definition. At the same time, recent efforts based on coactivation analysis suggest significant involvement of concomitant activation as an origin of synchronous activity, which is the basis of the network detection. Therefore, to establish the biological significance of the intrinsic remote connectivity, understanding such co-occurrence networks may be crucial. This study shows the results of monitoring the network's signal variation during random transitions among two divergent tasks and rest epochs. The subset of the DMN nodes showed three distinct activity levels; it was simultaneously characterized by the lack of a transition response between blocks. Additional connectivity analysis revealed components covering the other DMN nodes showing overshooting in response to a transition that were still connected to the posterior cingulate cortices (PCC), but by different signal components. The overall finding of multiple connectivity modes in the DMN provides a relevant explanation about the two seemingly contradictory characteristics of the network, robustness and variation.

A Classification Mechanism of Brain Functional fMRI in Resting State

To investigate the brain default mode network (DMN) of healthy young people, a novel hierarchical clustering method was proposed to detect similarities of low-frequency fluctuations between any two out of 160 regions of interest (ROI) all over the brain. Feature of these ROIs were firstextractedand analyzed the feature using hierarchical clustering approach.Combining with the strongest connected network node identified by network centric criterion, the default mode network which presented the strongest connectivity in resting state was then determined. The results demonstrated that cingulate had the highest value of average degree, making it the most suspectof where the centrality indices of DMN lay.The comparative results between nodes included by DMN returned by our method and these given by Dosenbach’s research showed quite high coincidence rates,indicating the proposed method of combining complex network theory and hierarchical clustering analysis feasible method to parse brain regions.

Slow fluctuations in eye position and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging brain activity during visual fixation.

The neuronal circuitry that supports voluntary changes in eye position in tasks that require attention-driven oculo-motor control is well known. However, less is known about the neuronal basis for eye control during visual fixation. This, together with the fact that visual fixation is one of the most commonly used baseline conditions in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, prompted us to conduct a study in which we employed resting-state fMRI and concurrent recordings of eye gaze to investigate the relationship between spontaneous changes in eye position during passive visual fixation and intrinsic brain activity. As a control experiment, we recorded fMRI brain activity related to cued voluntary vertical and horizontal changes in eye position in a block-related task-evoked fMRI experiment. Our results for the voluntarily performed changes in eye position elicited brain activity in the bilateral occipitotemporal cortex, supplementary motor cortex and frontal eye fields. In contrast, we show that slow fluctuations in eye position during passive visual fixation are linked to intrinsic brain activity, foremost in midline cortical brain regions located in the posteromedial parietal cortex and the medial prefrontal cortex, brain regions that act as core cortical hubs in the brain's default mode network. Our results suggest that subconscious and sustained changes in behavior are tied to intrinsic brain activity on a moment-by-moment basis.

Resting state brain default network in patients with motor aphasia resulting from cerebral infarction

To explore the brain default mode network (DMN) in patients with motor aphasia resulting from cerebral infarction, we used resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the possible neural mechanism. Thirteen patients with motor aphasia resulting from cerebral infarction and ten matched controls were selected in this study. All subjects were examined using resting state fMRI. We chose the posterior cingulate cortex as the region of interest and then used functional connectivity analysis to calculate the DMN functional connectivity and analyze differences in the functional connectivity between the two groups. Compared with normal controls, aphasia patient group showed a significantly decreased functional connectivity in bilateral medial frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, precuneus and cuneus. The aphasia patient group showed increased functional connectivity mainly in bilateral medial frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, insula. The DMN in cerebral infarction motor aphasia patients showed significantly decreased functional connectivity in the resting state. The DMN most likely plays an important role in motor aphasia resulting from cerebral infarction. Furthermore, functional connectivity in the brain regions surrounding the left and right Broca’s areas was significantly enhanced due to compensatory mechanisms. This may be helpful for the recovery of language function in cerebral infarction patients with motor aphasia.

How art changes your brain: differential effects of visual art production and cognitive art evaluation on functional brain connectivity.

Visual art represents a powerful resource for mental and physical well-being. However, little is known about the underlying effects at a neural level. A critical question is whether visual art production and cognitive art evaluation may have different effects on the functional interplay of the brain's default mode network (DMN). We used fMRI to investigate the DMN of a non-clinical sample of 28 post-retirement adults (63.71 years ±3.52 SD) before (T0) and after (T1) weekly participation in two different 10-week-long art interventions. Participants were randomly assigned to groups stratified by gender and age. In the visual art production group 14 participants actively produced art in an art class. In the cognitive art evaluation group 14 participants cognitively evaluated artwork at a museum. The DMN of both groups was identified by using a seed voxel correlation analysis (SCA) in the posterior cingulated cortex (PCC/preCUN). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to relate fMRI data to psychological resilience which was measured with the brief German counterpart of the Resilience Scale (RS-11). We observed that the visual art production group showed greater spatial improvement in functional connectivity of PCC/preCUN to the frontal and parietal cortices from T0 to T1 than the cognitive art evaluation group. Moreover, the functional connectivity in the visual art production group was related to psychological resilience (i.e., stress resistance) at T1. Our findings are the first to demonstrate the neural effects of visual art production on psychological resilience in adulthood.

Default mode network in young male adults with autism spectrum disorder: relationship with autism spectrum traits.

BackgroundAutism spectrum traits are postulated to lie on a continuum that extends between individuals with autism and individuals with typical development (TD). Social cognition properties that are deeply associated with autism spectrum traits have been linked to functional connectivity between regions within the brain’s default mode network (DMN). Previous studies have shown that the resting-state functional connectivities (rs-FCs) of DMN are low and show negative correlation with the level of autism spectrum traits in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is unclear whether individual differences of autism spectrum traits are associated with the strength of rs-FCs of DMN in participants including the general population.MethodsUsing the seed-based approach, we investigated the rs-FCs of DMN, particularly including the following two core regions of DMN: the anterior medial prefrontal cortex (aMPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in 19 young male adults with high-functioning ASD (mean age = 25.3 ± 6.9 years; autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) = 33.4 ± 4.2; full scale IQ (F-IQ) = 109.7 ± 12.4) compared with 21 age- and IQ-matched young male adults from the TD group (mean age = 24.8 ± 4.3 years; AQ = 18.6 ± 5.7; F-IQ = 109.5 ± 8.7). We also analyzed the correlation between the strength of rs-FCs and autism spectrum traits measured using AQ score.ResultsThe strengths of rs-FCs from core regions of DMN were significantly lower in ASD participants than TD participants. Under multiple regression analysis, the strengths of rs-FCs in brain areas from aMPFC seed showed negative correlation with AQ scores in ASD participants and TD participants.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the strength of rs-FCs in DMN is associated with autism spectrum traits in the TD population as well as patients with ASD, supporting the continuum view. The rs-FCs of DMN may be useful biomarkers for the objective identification of autism spectrum traits, regardless of ASD diagnosis.