Triple Network Model Dynamically Revisited: Lower Salience Network State Switching in Pre-psychosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Altered coordination of default mode (DMN), central executive (CEN), and salience (SAL) networks is linked to schizophrenia.
• Understanding network interactions in at-risk psychosis stages is crucial for identifying early markers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate dynamic functional connectivity and network interactions in individuals at risk for psychosis.
• To pinpoint specific network-to-network impairments preceding schizophrenia conversion.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state fMRI was used in individuals with subthreshold psychotic symptoms (UHR), basic symptoms (BS), and healthy controls (CTR).
• Co-activation pattern (CAP) analysis examined right anterior insula interactions to assess temporal dynamics and network switching.

Main Results:

• The right anterior insula plays a key role in central executive to default mode network transitions.
• Dysfunctional CEN-DMN switching, particularly prolonged DMN co-activation with the insula, was observed in UHR subjects.
• A loss of competing network states and prolonged insula-DMN activity suggest disrupted internal-external world distinction.

Conclusions:

• Abnormal network switching dynamics, especially involving the right anterior insula, are implicated in early psychosis development.
• These disruptions may lead to inflexibility and heightened awareness of internal processes, preceding clinical diagnosis.