Anatomical and functional coupling between the dorsal and ventral attention networks

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• The dorsal attention network (DAN) and ventral attention network (VAN) are known to interact through fronto-parietal connector hubs.
• The precise anatomical connections of these hubs and their relationship with functional connectivity remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anatomical connectivity profiles of fronto-parietal connector hubs linking the DAN and VAN.
• To examine the coupling between anatomical and functional connectivities within these connector hubs.
• To elucidate the anatomical underpinnings of functional interactions between attention networks.

Main Methods:

• Utilized multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.
• Analyzed data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) Consortium and an independent Chinese cohort.
• Investigated anatomical and functional connectivity patterns of identified connector hubs.

Main Results:

• Identified functional connector hubs that anatomically bridge the DAN and VAN.
• Demonstrated unique anatomical connectivity patterns for each hub, mirroring their functional connectivity.
• Found a positive association between the strength of anatomical connectivity and functional connectivity at both group and individual levels.

Conclusions:

• Fronto-parietal connector hubs provide the anatomical substrate for functional interactions between the DAN and VAN.
• The study establishes a strong link between anatomical and functional connectivity in these critical brain networks.
• Findings contribute to a deeper comprehension of the neural mechanisms governing attention.