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Mental fatigue and brain activation using prolonged task-based fMRI: a systematic review on time-on-task and
Manon Marie Roose1,2, Emilie Schampheleer1, Jelle Habay1,3,4
1Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
Experimental Brain Research
|January 11, 2026
Summary
Mental fatigue (MF) impacts cognition and decision-making. This review found MF is linked to increased brain activation in prefrontal and salience regions, and decreased activation in posterior areas.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Mental fatigue (MF) is a transient state impacting cognition and behavior.
- Neural mechanisms underlying MF are not fully understood.
- MF affects performance and decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review task-based fMRI evidence on neural correlates of MF.
- To identify consistent brain activation patterns associated with MF.
- To highlight methodological gaps and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase).
- Inclusion criteria: healthy participants, mentally fatiguing task ≥ 30 min, task-based BOLD fMRI.
- Extracted study characteristics and fMRI findings; appraised risk of bias using NIH tools.
Main Results:
- Nine studies (n=235) met inclusion criteria.
- Increased MF correlated with heightened activation in prefrontal (DLPFC, VLPFC, DMPFC) and salience regions (ACC, insula), and thalamus.
- Tendencies toward deactivation in posterior cortices (parieto-occipital, precuneus) and some cerebellar effects were noted.
Conclusions:
- Neural correlates of MF are complex, involving widespread brain networks.
- Further research is crucial to fully elucidate MF's impact on brain functioning.
- Findings highlight the involvement of prefrontal, salience, and posterior brain regions in MF.
