Neural basis of global resting-state fMRI activity

Mathematical cognition requires coordinated activity across multiple brain regions, leading to the emergence of resting-state functional connectivity as a method for studying the neural basis of differences in mathematical achievement. Hyper-connectivity of the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), a key locus of mathematical and numerical processing, has been associated with poor mathematical skills in childhood, whereas greater connectivity has been related to better performance in adulthood. No studies to date have considered its role in adolescence. Further, hippocampal connectivity can predict mathematical learning, yet no studies have considered its contributions to contemporaneous measures of math achievement. Here, we used seed-based resting-state fMRI analyses to examine IPS and hippocampal intrinsic functional connectivity relations to math achievement in a group of 31 adolescents (mean age=16.42 years, range 15-17), whose math performance spanned the 1% to 99% percentile. After controlling for IQ, IPS connectivity was negatively related to math achievement, akin to findings in children. However, the specific temporooccipital regions, were more akin to the posterior loci implicated in adults. Hippocampal connectivity with frontal regions was also negatively correlated with concurrent math measures, which contrasts with results from learning studies. Finally, hyper-connectivity was not a global feature of low math performance, as connectivity of Heschl’s gyrus, a control seed not involved in math cognition, was not modulated by math performance. Together, our results point to adolescence as a transitional stage in which patterns found in childhood and adulthood can be observed; most notably, hyper-connectivity continues to be related to low math ability in this period.

Download Full-text

A Neural Correlate of Strategic Exploration at the Onset of Adolescence

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/jocn_a_00896 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 199-209 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Andrew S. Kayser ◽

Zdeňa Op de Macks ◽

Ronald E. Dahl ◽

Michael J. Frank

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Granger Causality ◽

Resting State ◽

Resting State Fmri ◽

Neural Correlates ◽

Fmri Data ◽

Relative Uncertainty ◽

Neural Basis ◽

Neural Correlate

The onset of adolescence is associated with an increase in the behavioral tendency to explore and seek novel experiences. However, this exploration has rarely been quantified, and its neural correlates during this period remain unclear. Previously, activity within specific regions of the rostrolateral PFC (rlPFC) in adults has been shown to correlate with the tendency for exploration. Here we investigate a recently developed task to assess individual differences in strategic exploration, defined as the degree to which the relative uncertainty of rewards directs responding toward less well-evaluated choices, in 62 girls aged 11–13 years from whom resting state fMRI data were obtained in a separate session. Behaviorally, this task divided our participants into groups of explorers (n = 41) and nonexplorers (n = 21). When seed ROIs within the rlPFC were used to interrogate resting state fMRI data, we identified a lateralized connection between the rlPFC and posterior putamen/insula whose strength differentiated explorers from nonexplorers. On the basis of Granger causality analyses, the preponderant direction of influence may proceed from posterior to anterior. Together, these data provide initial evidence concerning the neural basis of exploratory tendencies at the onset of adolescence.

Download Full-text

The neural basis of executive functioning deficits in adolescents with epilepsy: a resting-state fMRI connectivity study of working memory

Brain Imaging and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s11682-019-00243-z ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ana M. Gutierrez-Colina ◽

Jennifer Vannest ◽

Thomas Maloney ◽

Shari L. Wade ◽

Angela Combs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Resting State ◽

Resting State Fmri ◽

Neural Basis ◽

Executive Functioning Deficits

Download Full-text

Acute Effects of Alcohol on the Human Brain: A Resting-State fMRI Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/947529 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Hongyi Zheng ◽

Lingmei Kong ◽

Lanmei Chen ◽

Haidu Zhang ◽

Wenbin Zheng

Keyword(s):

Mr Imaging ◽

Resting State ◽

Internal Capsule ◽

Resting State Fmri ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Posterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Acute Effects ◽

Neural Basis ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Alcohol Administration

The aim of this study is to assess the value of resting-state fMRI in detecting the acute effects of alcohol on healthy human brains. Thirty-two healthy volunteers were studied by conventional MR imaging and resting-state fMRI prior to and 0.5 hours after initiation of acute alcohol administration. The fMRI data, acquired during the resting state, were correlated with different breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC). We use the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus as a seed for the default mode network (DMN) analysis. ALFF and ReHo were also used to investigate spontaneous neural activity in the resting state. Conventional MR imaging showed no abnormalities on all subjects. Compared with the prior alcohol administration, the ALFF and ReHo also indicated some specific brain regions which are affected by alcohol, including the superior frontal gyrus, cerebellum, hippocampal gyrus, left basal ganglia, and right internal capsule. Functional connectivity of the DMN was affected by alcohol. This resting-state fMRI indicates that brain regions implicated are affected by alcohol and might provide a neural basis for alcohol’s effects on behavioral performance.

Download Full-text