Default network activity, coupled with the frontoparietal control network, supports goal-directed cognition
R Nathan Spreng1, W Dale Stevens, Jon P Chamberlain
1Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA. nathan.spreng@gmail.com
Neuroimage
|July 6, 2010
Summary
The default network isn't always suppressed during planning. This study shows the frontoparietal control network flexibly links default and dorsal attention networks for different planning tasks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The default network (DN) and dorsal attention network (DAN) have a competitive relationship, with DN activity typically suppressed during externally focused tasks.
- It is assumed DN activity is suppressed during all goal-directed cognition, but its role in internally focused planning is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the default network in goal-directed cognition, specifically autobiographical planning.
- To test the hypothesis that the frontoparietal control network (FPCN) mediates planning by flexibly coupling with either the DN or DAN.
Main Methods:
- fMRI study analyzing brain activity during autobiographical and visuospatial planning tasks.
- Examined network engagement and functional connectivity between the DN, DAN, and FPCN.
Main Results:
- Autobiographical planning engaged the DN, while visuospatial planning engaged the DAN.
- Both planning tasks critically engaged the FPCN.
- Functional connectivity analyses revealed the FPCN couples with the DN during autobiographical planning, enabling DN involvement in goal-directed cognition.
Conclusions:
- The default network can be involved in goal-directed cognition, particularly for internally focused tasks like autobiographical planning.
- The frontoparietal control network acts as a cortical mediator, flexibly coupling with the DN and DAN to support different types of planning.
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