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Mapping caudal inferior parietal cortex supports the hypothesis about a modulating cortical area
Fatemeh Tabassi Mofrad1, Niels O Schiller2
1Leiden University Centre for Linguistics, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands; Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK.
Neuroimage
|July 6, 2022
Summary
The caudal inferior parietal cortex (IPC) shows unique functional connectivity, challenging traditional task-related or resting-state classifications. It may act as a novel modulating cortical area during cognitive tasks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- The inferior parietal cortex (IPC) has a tripartite organization (rostral, middle, caudal) often overlooked in functional studies.
- Previous functional associations with the IPC have led to inconsistencies in understanding its role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional connectivity patterns of the caudal IPC during a cognitive control task.
- To determine if the caudal IPC fits traditional task-related or resting-state network categorizations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multiband EPI (echo-planar imaging) to examine functional connectivity.
- Analyzed brain activity during a task requiring cognitive control.
Main Results:
- The caudal IPC exhibited functional connectivity patterns distinct from typical cognitive control areas.
- Negative functional associations were observed between the caudal IPC and both task-active brain regions and the resting-state precuneus cortex.
- Findings suggest the caudal IPC's connectivity does not align with standard task-positive or resting-state networks.
Conclusions:
- The traditional dichotomy of task-related vs. resting-state networks is insufficient to explain the caudal IPC's function.
- Proposes a new category of a 'modulating cortical area' for the caudal IPC.
- This area's task involvement may be characterized by deactivation in association with task-related areas, proportional to difficulty, while exhibiting unique resting-state connectivity patterns.
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