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. 2021 Feb;11(2):e01976.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.1976. Epub 2020 Dec 18.

Parcellation-based anatomic modeling of the default mode network

Zainab Sandhu  1 , Onur Tanglay  2 , Isabella M Young  3 , Robert G Briggs  1 , Michael Y Bai  2 , Micah L Larsen  1 , Andrew K Conner  1 , Vukshitha Dhanaraj  2 , Yueh-Hsin Lin  2 , Jorge Hormovas  2 , Rannulu Dineth Fonseka  2 , Chad A Glenn  1 , Michael E Sughrue  2
Affiliations

Parcellation-based anatomic modeling of the default mode network

Zainab Sandhu et al. Brain Behav. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Background: The default mode network (DMN) is an important mediator of passive states of mind. Multiple cortical areas, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and lateral parietal lobe, have been linked in this processing, though knowledge of network connectivity had limited tractographic specificity.

Methods: Using resting-state fMRI studies related to the DMN, we generated an activation likelihood estimation (ALE). We built a tractographical model of this network based on the cortical parcellation scheme previously published under the Human Connectome Project. DSI-based fiber tractography was performed to determine the structural connections between cortical parcellations comprising the network.

Results: Seventeen cortical regions were found to be part of the DMN: 10r, 31a, 31pd, 31pv, a24, d23ab, IP1, p32, POS1, POS2, RSC, PFm, PGi, PGs, s32, TPOJ3, and v23ab. These regions showed consistent interconnections between adjacent parcellations, and the cingulum was found to connect the anterior and posterior cingulate clusters within the network.

Conclusions: We present a preliminary anatomic model of the default mode network. Further studies may refine this model with the ultimate goal of clinical application.

Keywords: ALE; anatomy; default mode network; parcellation; tractography; white matter.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Sughrue is the Chief Medical Officer of Omniscient Neurotechnologies. No products directly related to this were discussed in this paper. All other authors have no financial interest or potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Activation likelihood estimation (ALE) of 27 resting‐state fMRI experiments related to goal‐oriented attentional processing. The three‐dimensional ALE data are displayed in Mango on a brain normalized to the MNI coordinate space. (a–c) ALE data highlighting the lateral parietal region. (d) ALE data highlighting the region of the posterior cingulate gyrus. (e) ALE data highlighting the anterior and posterior cingulate regions. (f) ALE data highlighting the lateral parietal region
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Comparison overlays between the cortical parcellation data (blue) and activation likelihood estimation (ALE) data (red) from Figure 1 in the left cerebral hemisphere. Regions were visually assessed for inclusion in the network if they overlapped with the ALE data. Parcellations included in the DMN model were identified in the anterior cingulate area including 10r, a24, p32, and s32 (top row); posterior cingulate area including 31a, 31pd, 31pv, d23ab, POS1, POS2, v23ab, and RSC (middle row); and lateral parietal area including IP1, PFm, PGi, PGs, and TPOJ3 (bottom row). The labels indicate the parcellation shown in each panel
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Fiber tracking analysis for the default mode network. Shown on T1‐weighted MR images in the left cerebral hemisphere. TOP ROW: sagittal sections from medial to lateral demonstrating the cingulum and its projections between the anterior and posterior cingulate clusters of the default mode network. MIDDLE ROW: axial sections from inferior to superior demonstrate the cingulum connecting the posterior cingulate and lateral parietal clusters. and the short fiber connections within the network. BOTTOM ROW: coronal sections from anterior to posterior provide another view of the cingulum and short fiber connections within the network
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Simplified schematic of the white matter connections identified between individual parcellations of the default mode network during fiber tracking analysis. Connections are labeled with the average strength measured across all 25 subjects
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