Attentional load modulates large-scale functional brain connectivity beyond the core attention networks

Alnæs, Dag; Kaufmann, Tobias; Richard, Geneviève; Duff, Eugene P.; Sneve, Markus Handal; Endestad, Tor; Nordvik, Jan Egil; Andreassen, Ole A.; Smith, Stephen M.; Westlye, Lars T.

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.01.026

Cited by 42 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…DAN, comprising key hubs in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), superior parietal lobule (SPL), and the frontal eye field (Corbetta et al, 2008), constitutes a core attention node. The connectivity patterns of the DAN are predictive of cognitive load during a multiple object tracking (Alnaes et al, 2015), which supports its sensitivity to mental states associated with goal-driven attention. SFG constitutes a collection of distinct subregions in the prefrontal cortex, which has been implicated in a wide range of executive functions, including working memory and cognitive control (du Boisgueheneuc et al, 2006, Fuster, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Brain connectivity aberrations in anabolic-androgenic steroid users

Westlye

Kaufmann

Alnæs

et al. 2017

NeuroImage: Clinical

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Sustained anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use has adverse behavioral consequences, including aggression, violence and impulsivity. Candidate mechanisms include disruptions of brain networks with high concentrations of androgen receptors and critically involved in emotional and cognitive regulation. Here, we tested the effects of AAS on resting-state functional brain connectivity in the largest sample of AAS-users to date. We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 151 males engaged in heavy resistance strength training. 50 users tested positive for AAS based on the testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E) ratio and doping substances in urine. 16 previous users and 59 controls tested negative. We estimated brain network nodes and their time-series using ICA and dual regression and defined connectivity matrices as the between-node partial correlations. In line with the emotional and behavioral consequences of AAS, current users exhibited reduced functional connectivity between key nodes involved in emotional and cognitive regulation, in particular reduced connectivity between the amygdala and default-mode network (DMN) and between the dorsal attention network (DAN) and a frontal node encompassing the superior and inferior frontal gyri (SFG/IFG) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), with further reductions as a function of dependency, lifetime exposure, and cycle state (on/off).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Brain connectivity aberrations in anabolic-androgenic steroid users

Westlye

Kaufmann

Alnæs

et al. 2017

NeuroImage: Clinical

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“…Although the magnitude of these changes is small, it is possible to accurately decode the task state of a participant simply from their FC in a task (Alnaes et al, 2015; Gonzalez-Castillo et al, 2015; Shirer et al, 2012). In addition, task performance is related to these modifications of FC (e.g., (Dwyer et al, 2014; Gonzalez-Castillo et al, 2015; Gordon et al, 2014; Hampson et al, 2010; Kelly et al, 2008)), suggesting that the alterations are relevant to behavior.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for Two Independent Factors that Modify Brain Networks to Meet Task Goals

Gratton¹,

Laumann²,

Gordon³

et al. 2016

Cell Reports

153

170

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Summary Humans easily and flexibly complete a wide variety of tasks. To accomplish this feat, the brain appears to subtly adjust stable brain networks. Here we investigate what regional factors underlie these modifications, asking whether networks are altered at (a) regions activated by a given task, or (b) hubs that interconnect different networks. We used fMRI ‘functional connectivity’ (FC) to compare networks during rest and three distinct tasks requiring semantic judgments, mental rotation, and visual coherence. We found that network modifications during these tasks were independently associated with both regional activation and network hubs. Furthermore, active and hub regions were associated with distinct patterns of network modification (differing in their localization, topography of FC changes, and variability across tasks), with activated hubs exhibiting patterns consistent with task control. These findings indicate that task goals modify brain networks through two separate processes, linked to local brain function and network hubs.

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“…Task-positive networks (TPN) are activated by effort demanding tasks (Fox et al, 2005), and comprise several sub-networks, including the dorsal attention network (DAN) and the central executive network (CEN). DAN is involved in top-down goal directed processing requiring mental effort and includes the superior parietal lobe, the inferior parietal sulcus, the posterior parietal cortex, and the frontal eye field (Alnaes et al, 2015, Fox et al, 2005, Szczepanski et al, 2013, Toro et al, 2008). CEN is involved in executive processes such as sustained attention, working memory and decision making, and includes the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the posterior parietal cortex (Seeley et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Optimal task performance depends on efficient suppression of the DMN (Buckner et al, 2008, Harrison et al, 2007), in accordance with reports of reduced task-related suppression of the DMN in SZ (Guerrero-Pedraza et al, 2012, Kim et al, 2009, Nygard et al, 2012, Schneider et al, 2011, Whitfield-Gabrieli et al, 2009, Williamson and Allman, 2012). Both task-positive and task-negative networks are modulated by cognitive load (Alnaes et al, 2015, Fryer et al, 2013, Newton et al, 2011, Repovs and Barch, 2012), and it has been suggested that SZ patients show less flexible resource allocation during the dynamic transitions between rest and task, partly due to an hyperactive DMN (Nygard et al, 2012). Yet, more knowledge is needed to clarify whether SZ spectrum disorders are primarily associated with DMN increases or decreases compared to controls (Fryer et al, 2013, Newton et al, 2011, Repovs and Barch, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduced load-dependent default mode network deactivation across executive tasks in schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Haatveit

Jensen

Alnæs

et al. 2016

NeuroImage: Clinical

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BackgroundSchizophrenia is associated with cognitive impairment and brain network dysconnectivity. Recent efforts have explored brain circuits underlying cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia and documented altered activation of large-scale brain networks, including the task-positive network (TPN) and the task-negative default mode network (DMN) in response to cognitive demands. However, to what extent TPN and DMN dysfunction reflect overlapping mechanisms and are dependent on cognitive state remain to be determined.MethodsIn the current study, we investigated the recruitment of TPN and DMN using independent component analysis in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (n = 29) and healthy controls (n = 21) during two different executive tasks probing planning/problem-solving and spatial working memory.ResultsWe found reduced load-dependent DMN deactivation across tasks in patients compared to controls. Furthermore, we observed only moderate associations between the TPN and DMN activation across groups, implying that the two networks reflect partly independent mechanisms. Additionally, whereas TPN activation was associated with task performance in both tasks, no such associations were found for DMN.ConclusionThese results support a general load-dependent DMN dysfunction in schizophrenia spectrum disorder across two demanding executive tasks that is not merely an epiphenomenon of cognitive dysfunction.

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Attentional load modulates large-scale functional brain connectivity beyond the core attention networks

Cited by 42 publications

References 59 publications

Brain connectivity aberrations in anabolic-androgenic steroid users

Brain connectivity aberrations in anabolic-androgenic steroid users

Evidence for Two Independent Factors that Modify Brain Networks to Meet Task Goals

Reduced load-dependent default mode network deactivation across executive tasks in schizophrenia spectrum disorders

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