The default mode network in cognition: a topographical perspective
Jonathan Smallwood, Boris C. Bernhardt, Robert Leech, Danilo Bzdok, Elizabeth Jefferies, Daniel S. Margulies
Nature reviews. Neuroscience July 5, 2021 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00474-4 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe default mode network (DMN) is a set of brain regions in the parietal, temporal, and frontal cortex that typically reduce activity during attention-demanding tasks but increase activity during complex cognition linked to memory or abstract thought. These regions are located farthest from sensory and motor systems. The paper considers how knowledge of the DMN's topographic characteristics can be used to better understand its contributions to cognition and behavior.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 970 |
| Key finding | The DMN's location in regions furthest from sensory and motor systems can be leveraged to understand its role in cognition and behavior. |
Abstract
The default mode network (DMN) is a set of widely distributed brain regions in the parietal, temporal and frontal cortex. These regions often show reductions in activity during attention-demanding tasks but increase their activity across multiple forms of complex cognition, many of which are linked to memory or abstract thought. Within the cortex, the DMN has been shown to be located in regions furthest away from those contributing to sensory and motor systems. Here, we consider how our knowledge of the topographic characteristics of the DMN can be leveraged to better understand how this network contributes to cognition and behaviour.