Brain Network Interconnectivity Dynamics Explain Metacognitive Differences in Listening Behavior

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Auditory Perception

Background:

• Complex auditory scenes challenge attentive listening, leading to slower, less certain perceptual decisions.
• Understanding the neural dynamics of cortical networks controlling listening behavior is crucial for explaining these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hypothesis that adaptive perception in difficult listening situations is supported by modular reconfiguration of auditory-control networks.
• To explore the relationship between brain network dynamics and individual differences in perceptual confidence and decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to study 40 participants during resting-state and a spatial selective auditory attention task.
• Whole-brain network modularity and functional connectivity between auditory, cingulo-opercular, and dorsal attention networks were analyzed.
• Interconnectivity changes were correlated with individual differences in response speed and confidence.

Main Results:

• Whole-brain network modularity increased from rest to task, driven by reconfigurations in auditory, cingulo-opercular, and dorsal attention networks.
• Task-related decreases in auditory-cingulo-opercular network connectivity and increases in dorsal attention-cingulo-opercular network connectivity were observed.
• These network dynamics predicted individual differences in response confidence, particularly after incorrect judgments.

Conclusions:

• Functional cross-talk between auditory and attentional-control networks is behaviorally relevant for metacognitive assessment in challenging listening.
• Two functionally dissociable cortical networked systems contribute to individual variations in adaptive listening behavior and metacognition.