Functional Parcellation of the Default Mode Network: A Large-Scale Meta-Analysis
Shaoming Wang, Lindsey J. Tepfer, Adrienne A. Taren et al. preprint
The default mode network (DMN) is a set of brain regions that work together to support different types of thinking. Three key regions—the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), temporal parietal junction (TPJ), and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC)—are often highlighted, but their unique roles in specific cognitive processes and health conditions were unclear. Using a meta-analytic parcellation approach with the Neurosynth database, the authors found that these regions collectively support functions like decision making, memory, and awareness. Further analysis showed each region can be subdivided into functionally distinct subcomponents, each with different strengths of association across cognitive processes and health conditions, highlighting the need for nuanced understanding of DMN specialization.