How Does the Brain’s Spontaneous Activity Generate Our Thoughts?

Mapping Intimacies ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190464745.013.9 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Georg Northoff

Keyword(s):

Spontaneous Activity ◽

Empirical Evidence ◽

Neural Correlates ◽

Central Executive ◽

Spatiotemporal Structure ◽

Default Mode ◽

Spontaneous Thought ◽

Psychological Features ◽

Spatiotemporal Integration

Recent investigations have demonstrated the psychological features (e.g. cognitive, affective, and social) of task-unrelated thoughts, as well as their underlying neural correlates in spontaneous activity, which cover various networks and regions, including the default-mode and central executive networks. Despite impressive progress in recent research, the mechanisms by means of which the brain’s spontaneous activity generates and constitutes thoughts remain unclear. This chapter suggests that the spatiotemporal structure of the brain’s spontaneous activity can integrate both content- and process-based approaches to task-unrelated or spontaneous thought—this amounts to what is described as the “spatiotemporal theory of task-unrelated thought” (STTT). Based on various lines of empirical evidence, the STTT postulates two main spatiotemporal mechanisms, spatiotemporal integration and extension. The STTT provides a novel brain-based spatiotemporal theory of task-unrelated thought that focuses on the brain’s spontaneous activity, including its spatiotemporal structure, which allows integrating content- and process-based approaches.

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Spatiotemporal Model of Consciousness II: Spatiotemporal Alignment—Neuro-ecological Continuum and World–Brain Relation

The Spontaneous Brain ◽

10.7551/mitpress/9780262038072.003.0008 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 195-236

Author(s):

Georg Northoff

Keyword(s):

Spontaneous Activity ◽

Empirical Evidence ◽

Neural Activity ◽

Necessary Condition ◽

Spatiotemporal Structure ◽

Spatiotemporal Model ◽

Time Consciousness ◽

Spatiotemporal Scales ◽

World Brain ◽

The Brain

Consciousness is neuronal as it is based on the brain and its neural activity. This is what neuroscience tell us citing strong empirical evidence. At the same time, consciousness is ecological in that it extends beyond the brain to body and world – this is what philosophers tell us when they invoke concepts like embodiment, embeddedness, extendedness, and enactment. Is consciousness neuronal or ecological? This amounts to what I describe as “argument of inclusion”: do we need to include body and world in our account of the brain and how is that very same inclusion important for consciousness? I argue that the “spatiotemporal model” of consciousness can well address the “argument of inclusion” by linking and integrating both neuronal and ecological characterizations of consciousness. I demonstrate various data showing how the brain’s spontaneous activity couples and aligns itself to the spatiotemporal structure in the ongoing activities of both body and world. That amounts to a specific spatiotemporal mechanism of the brain that I describe as ‘spatiotemporal alignment’. Conceptually, such ‘spatiotemporal alignment’ corresponds to “body-brain relation” and “world-brain relation”, as I say. World-brain relation and body-brain relation allow for spatiotemporal relation and integration between the different spatiotemporal scales or ranges of world, body, and brain with all three being spatiotemporally aligned and nested within each other. Based on various empirical findings, I argue that such spatiotemporal nestedness between world, body, and brain establishes a “neuro-ecological continuum” and world-brain relation. Both neuro-ecological continuum and world-brain relation are here understood in an empirical sense and can be regarded as necessary condition of possible consciousness, i.e., neural predisposition of consciousness (NPC) (as distinguished from the neural correlates of consciousness/NCC). In sum, the spatiotemporal model determines consciousness by “neuro-ecological continuum” and world-brain relation (with body-brain relation being a subset). Taken in such sense, the spatiotemporal model can well address the “argument of inclusion”. We need to include body and world in our account of the brain in terms of “neuro-ecological continuum” and world-brain relation since otherwise, due to their role as NPC, consciousness remains impossible.

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Spatiotemporal Model of Consciousness I: Spatiotemporal Specificity and Neuronal-Phenomenal Correspondence

The Spontaneous Brain ◽

10.7551/mitpress/9780262038072.003.0007 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 151-194

Author(s):

Georg Northoff

Keyword(s):

Spontaneous Activity ◽

Neural Activity ◽

Neural Processing ◽

Central Question ◽

Neural Correlate ◽

Spatiotemporal Structure ◽

Spatiotemporal Model ◽

The Brain ◽

Spatiotemporal Integration

How and why can neural activity in general and specifically stimulus-induced activity be associated with consciousness? This is the central question in the present chapter. I suggest a Spatiotemporal model that conceives both brain and consciousness in predominantly Spatiotemporal terms rather than being based on specific contents and their neural processing by the brain. This amounts to a Spatiotemporal theory of consciousness (STC). I discuss two specific Spatiotemporal mechanisms that I deem relevant for consciousness. The first Spatiotemporal mechanism refers to “Spatiotemporal integration and nestedness” that describe how different frequencies/regions are coupled and linked, i.e., integrated, and subsequently contained, i.e., nested, with each other. Again, based on empirical findings, “Spatiotemporal integration and nestedness” may predispose the level/state of consciousness, i.e., NPC. The second Spatiotemporal mechanism consists in “Spatiotemporal expansion” that allows to expand the stimuli’ specific points in time and space beyond itself by the brain’s spontaneous activity and its spatiotemporal structure. Based on various empirical findings, I suggest “Spatiotemporal expansion” a sufficient neural condition of consciousness, i.e., a neural correlate of the content of consciousness (NCC). Both spatiotemporal mechanisms are specific in that they can distinguish consciousness and unconsciousness: there is “Spatiotemporal expansion” rather than “Spatiotemporal constriction” and there is “Spatiotemporal nestedness” rather than “Spatiotemporal isolation”. This illustrates the specificity of the Spatiotemporal mechanisms which argues against what can be described as “argument of non-specificity”. Moreover, the STC is based on Spatiotemporal mechanisms rather than mere Spatiotemporal features which renders our Spatiotemporal model non-trivial which can be put forward against what can be described as “argument of triviality”. Taken together, the Spatiotemporal model of consciousness as suggested in the STC is neither non-specific but specific in empirical terms nor trivial on conceptual-logical, phenomenal, and ontological grounds.

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CNTM-01. Evaluating Traditional and Non-Traditional Eloquent Areas in Patients with Brain Tumors: Large-scale Network Analysis Using a Machine Learning-Based Platform

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noab196.899 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽

pp. vi224-vi224

Author(s):

Alexis Morell ◽

Daniel Eichberg ◽

Ashish Shah ◽

Evan Luther ◽

Victor Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Brain Tumors ◽

Large Scale ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Brain Networks ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Central Executive ◽

Default Mode ◽

Eloquent Areas ◽

Neurologic Deficits

Abstract BACKGROUND Developing mapping tools that allow identification of traditional or non-traditional eloquent areas is necessary to minimize the risk of postoperative neurologic deficits. The objective of our study is to evaluate the use of a novel cloud-based platform that uses machine learning to identify cerebral networks in patients with brain tumors. METHODS We retrospectively included all adult patients who underwent surgery for brain tumor resection or thermal ablation at our Institution between the 16th of February and the 15th of May of 2021. Pre and postoperative contrast-enhanced MRI with T1-weighted and high-resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) sequences were uploaded into the Quicktome platform. After processing the data, we categorized the integrity of seven large-scale brain networks: sensorimotor, visual, ventral attention, central executive, default mode, dorsal attention and limbic. Affected networks were correlated with pre and postoperative clinical data, including neurologic deficits. RESULTS Thirty-five (35) patients were included in the study. The average age of the sample was 63.2 years, and 51.4% (n=18) were females. The most affected network was the central executive network (40%), followed by the dorsal attention and default mode networks (31.4%), while the least affected were the visual (11%) and ventral attention networks (17%). Patients with preoperative deficits showed a significantly higher number of altered networks before the surgery (p=0.021), compared to patients without deficits. In addition, we found that patients without neurologic deficits had an average of 2.06 large-scale networks affected, with 75% of them not being related to traditional eloquent areas as the sensorimotor, language or visual circuits. CONCLUSIONS The Quicktome platform is a practical tool that allows automatic visualization of large-scale brain networks in patients with brain tumors. Although further studies are needed, it may assist in the surgical management of traditional and non-traditional eloquent areas.

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Catching the wandering mind: Meditation as a window into spontaneous thought

10.31231/osf.io/kjyr8 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Wendy Hasenkamp

Keyword(s):

Mind Wandering ◽

Neural Correlates ◽

Physiological Measures ◽

Great Utility ◽

Spontaneous Thought ◽

New Research ◽

The Mind ◽

Subjective Reports ◽

Insight Into ◽

Research Recommendations

This chapter considers a form of attention-based meditation as a novel means to gain insight into the mechanisms and phenomenology of spontaneous thought. Focused attention (FA) meditation involves keeping one’s attention on a chosen object, and repeatedly catching the mind when it strays from the object into spontaneous thought. This practice can thus be viewed as a kind of self-caught mind wandering paradigm, which suggests it may have great utility for research on spontaneous thought. Current findings about the effects of meditation on mind wandering and meta-awareness are reviewed, and implications for new research paradigms that leverage first-person reporting during FA meditation are discussed. Specifically, research recommendations are made that may enable customized analysis of individual episodes of mind wandering and their neural correlates. It is hoped that by combining detailed subjective reports from experienced meditators with rigorous objective physiological measures, we can advance our understanding of human consciousness.

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Causal interactions between fronto-parietal central executive and default-mode networks in humans

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1311772110 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 110 (49) ◽

pp. 19944-19949 ◽

Cited By ~ 241

Author(s):

A. C. Chen ◽

D. J. Oathes ◽

C. Chang ◽

T. Bradley ◽

Z.-W. Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Executive ◽

Default Mode

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Sex Differences in Functional Connectivity of the Salience, Default Mode, and Central Executive Networks in Youth with ASD

Cerebral Cortex ◽

10.1093/cercor/bhaa105 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (9) ◽

pp. 5107-5120 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Katherine E Lawrence ◽

Leanna M Hernandez ◽

Hilary C Bowman ◽

Namita T Padgaonkar ◽

Emily Fuster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Central Executive ◽

Neural Mechanisms ◽

Typical Development ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Matched Sample ◽

Biological Factors ◽

Default Mode

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with the altered functional connectivity of 3 neurocognitive networks that are hypothesized to be central to the symptomatology of ASD: the salience network (SN), default mode network (DMN), and central executive network (CEN). Due to the considerably higher prevalence of ASD in males, however, previous studies examining these networks in ASD have used primarily male samples. It is thus unknown how these networks may be differentially impacted among females with ASD compared to males with ASD, and how such differences may compare to those observed in neurotypical individuals. Here, we investigated the functional connectivity of the SN, DMN, and CEN in a large, well-matched sample of girls and boys with and without ASD (169 youth, ages 8–17). Girls with ASD displayed greater functional connectivity between the DMN and CEN than boys with ASD, whereas typically developing girls and boys differed in SN functional connectivity only. Together, these results demonstrate that youth with ASD exhibit altered sex differences in these networks relative to what is observed in typical development, and highlight the importance of considering sex-related biological factors and participant sex when characterizing the neural mechanisms underlying ASD.

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Electronic-Sports Experience Related to Functional Enhancement in Central Executive and Default Mode Areas

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2019/1940123 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Diankun Gong ◽

Weiyi Ma ◽

Tiejun Liu ◽

Yuening Yan ◽

Dezhong Yao

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Video Game ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Functional Integration ◽

Central Executive ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Default Mode ◽

Lower Ranking ◽

Local Functional ◽

The Relationship

Electronic-sports (e-sports) is a form of organized, online, multiplayer video game competition, which requires both action skills and the ability and process of forming and adapting a strategy (referred to as strategization hereafter) to achieve goals. Over the past few decades, research has shown that video gaming experience has an important impact on the plasticity of the sensorimotor, attentional, and executive brain areas. However, little research has examined the relationship between e-sports experience and the plasticity of brain networks that are related to strategization. Using resting-state fMRI data and the local functional connectivity density (lFCD) analysis, this study investigated the relationship between e-sports experience (League of Legends [LOL] in this study) and brain plasticity by comparing between top-ranking LOL players and lower-ranking (yet experienced) LOL players. Results showed that the top-ranking LOL players had superior local functional integration in the executive areas compared to lower-ranking players. Furthermore, the top-ranking players had higher lFCD in the default mode areas, which have been found related to various subprocesses (e.g., memory and planning) essential for strategization. Finally, the top-ranking players’ lFCD was related to their LOL expertise rank level, as indicated by a comprehensive score assigned by the gaming software based on players’ gaming experience and expertise. Thus, the result showed that the local functional connectivity in central executive and default mode brain areas was enhanced in the top-ranking e-sports players, suggesting that e-sports experience is related to the plasticity of the central executive and default mode areas.

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Classifying heterogeneous presentations of PTSD via the default mode, central executive, and salience networks with machine learning

NeuroImage Clinical ◽

10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102262 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. 102262 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrew A. Nicholson ◽

Sherain Harricharan ◽

Maria Densmore ◽

Richard W.J. Neufeld ◽

Tomas Ros ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Central Executive ◽

Default Mode

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O4.4. REAL TIME FMRI NEUROFEEDBACK TARGETING STG AND DMN REDUCES AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa028.021 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S10-S10

Author(s):

Margaret Niznikiewicz ◽

Kana Okano ◽

Clemens Bauer ◽

Paul Nestor ◽

Elizabetta Del Re ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Real Time ◽

Default Mode Network ◽

Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Central Executive ◽

Auditory Hallucinations ◽

Default Mode ◽

Central Executive Network ◽

Voice Recording

Abstract Background Auditory hallucinations (AH) are one of the core symptoms of schizophrenia (SZ) and constitute a significant source of suffering and disability. One third of SZ patients experience pharmacology-resistant AH, so an alternative/complementary treatment strategy is needed to alleviate this debilitating condition. In this study, real-time functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging neurofeedback (rt-fMRI NFB), a non-invasive technique, was used to help 10 SZ patients modulate their brain activity in key brain regions belonging to the network involved in the experience of auditory hallucinations. In two experiments we selected two different brain targets. 1. the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and 2. default mode network (DMN)-central executive network (CEN) connectivity. STG is a key area in the neurophysiology of AH. Hyperactivation of the default mode network (DMN) and of the superior temporal gyrus (STG) in SZ has been shown in imaging studies. Furthermore, several studies point to reduced anticorrelation between the DMN and the central executive network (CEN). Finally, DMN hyperconnectivity has been associated with positive symptoms such as AHs while reduced DMN anticorrelations have been associated with cognitive impairment. Methods In the STG-focused NFB experiment, subjects were trained to upregulate the STG activity while listening to their own voice recording and downregulate it while ignoring a stranger’s voice recording in the course of 21 min NFB session. Visual feedback was provided to subjects at the end of each run from their own STG activity in the form of a thermometer. AH were assessed with auditory hallucination scale pre-NFB and within a week after the NFB session. The DMN-CEN focused NFB experiment was conducted about 1 month later to minimize the carry over effects from the STG-focused NFB and was designed to help SZ patients modulate their DMN and CEN networks. DMN and CEN networks were defined individually for each subject. The goal of the task was to increase CEN-DMN anti-correlations. To achieve that patients were provided with meditation strategies to guide their performance. Feedback was provided in the form of a ball that traveled up if the modulation of DMN-CEN connectivity was successful and traveled down if it was not successful. AH measures were taken before the NFB session and within a week after the session. Results In the STG-focused NFB task, significant STG activation reduction was found in the comparison of pre- relative to post-NFB in the condition of ignoring another person’s voice (p<0.05), FWE-TFCE corrected. AH were also significantly reduced (p<0.01). Importantly, significant correlation was found between reductions in the STG activation and AH reductions (r=.83). In the DMN-CEN focused NFB task, significant increase in the anti-correlations between medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (p<0.05) was observed as well as significant reduction in the mPFC-PCC connectivity (p <0.05), in the pre-post NFB comparisons. AH were significantly reduced in post- relative to pre-NFB comparison (p<0.02). Finally, there was a significant correlation between individual scores in mPFC-STG connectivity and AH reductions. Discussion These the two experiments suggest that targeting both the STG BOLD activation and DMN-CEN connectivity in NFB tasks aimed at AH reduction result both in brain changes and in AH reductions. Together, these results provide strong preliminary support for the NFB use as a means to impact brain function leading to reductions in AH in SZ. Importantly, these results suggest that AH result from brain abnormalities in a network of brain regions and that targeting a brain region belonging to this network will lead to AH symptom reduction.

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