What Executive Function Network is that? An Image-Based Meta-Analysis of Network Labels.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Labeling conventions for brain networks involved in executive functions are inconsistent.
• This inconsistency causes confusion among researchers regarding network identification and comparison.
• Existing labels are often applied to topographically or functionally similar neural networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To meta-analytically assess the consistency of brain network topography across frequently used labels for executive function networks.
• To identify distinct spatial clusters representing executive function networks.
• To propose standardized nomenclature for executive function brain networks.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of fMRI studies to identify nine common executive function network labels.
• Image-based meta-analysis of 158 group-level statistical maps (SPMs) from 69 published papers.
• Clustering of SPMs to determine spatial consistency within and across network labels.

Main Results:

• Significant inconsistency was found in the spatial topography of SPMs assigned to the same network label.
• Four distinct clusters of SPMs were identified, representing four spatially separable executive function networks.
• The results indicate limited topographical consistency for commonly used executive function network labels.

Conclusions:

• Current labeling practices for executive function brain networks lack consistency.
• A template set of four spatially distinct executive function networks is proposed for standardized labeling.
• Adopting standardized nomenclature will reduce confusion and improve the comparability of neuroimaging research on executive functions.