A network-level analysis of cognitive flexibility in resting-state fMRI

Chuikova Z., Faber A.

Cognitive flexibility is broadly defined as a mental ability to switch between mental sets, operations or different task rules. This ability in an executive functions (EF) which are supported by a superordinate cognitive control network (CCN) which include frontoparietal network and the cinguloopercular network. However, the majority of research focuses on task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), therefore the resting state conditions remains  unexplored. Consequently, the purpose of our research is to examine a functional connectivity within cognitive flexibility networks in adults in resting - state. Nineteen participants were recruited for the study (9 males and 10 females, 21-30 years old). For all participants, MR images were acquired using a 3T Philips scanner. The participants were instructed to relax, close their eyes and remain awake throughout the 6 min 6 seconds.
Resting state data were analyzed using CONN, a Matlab/SPM-based software. We discovered that that left anterior cingulate cortex and right middle frontal gyrus have significant contribution to connectivity in CCN, which is consistent with the literature. In addition, right inferior frontal gyrus voxels had lower functional connectivity with parietal cortex areas comparing to connectivity with cingulate cortex. These results cam inform current theories of neurobiological foundations of cognitive flexibility.

Keywords: фМРТ, cognitive flexibility, когнитивная флексибильность, resting-state fMRI

In book

Материалы Международного молодежного научного форума «ЛОМОНОСОВ-2022»

М.: МАКС Пресс, 2022.