Structural and functional connectivity of the precuneus and thalamus to the default mode network
Samantha Cunningham, Dardo G. Tomasi, Nora D. Volkow
Human Brain Mapping October 14, 2016 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23429 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 37 |
| Population | Healthy subjects from the Human Connectome Database |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Keywords | Precuneus Thalamus Human connectome project Fractional anisotropy Angular gyrus Posterior cingulate White matter Hippocampus Functional connectivity Magnetic resonance imaging |
| Citations | 221 |
| Key findings | The precuneus has the greatest structural connectivity with the thalamus, and the strongest resting-state functional connectivity with the angular gyrus, while the thalamus shows strongest functional connectivity with the precuneus and hippocampus. |
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies have identified functional interactions between the thalamus, precuneus, and default mode network (DMN) in studies of consciousness. However, less is known about the structural connectivity of the precuneus and thalamus to regions within the DMN. We used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to parcellate the precuneus and thalamus based on their probabilistic white matter connectivity to each other and DMN regions of interest (ROIs) in 37 healthy subjects from the Human Connectome Database. We further assessed resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) among the precuneus, thalamus, and DMN ROIs. The precuneus was found to have the greatest structural connectivity with the thalamus, where connection fractional anisotropy (FA) increased with age. The precuneus also showed significant structural connectivity to the hippocampus and middle pre-frontal cortex, but minimal connectivity to the angular gyrus and midcingulate cortex. In contrast, the precuneus exhibited significant RSFC with the thalamus and the strongest RSFC with the AG. Significant symmetrical structural connectivity was found between the thalamus and hippocampus, mPFC, sFG, and precuneus that followed known thalamocortical pathways, while thalamic RSFC was strongest with the precuneus and hippocampus. Overall, these findings reveal high levels of structural and functional connectivity linking the thalamus, precuneus, and DMN. Differences between structural and functional connectivity (such as between the precuneus and AG) may be interpreted to reflect dynamic shifts in RSFC for cortical hub-regions involved with consciousness, but could also reflect the limitations of DTI to detect superficial white matter tracts that connect cortico-cortical regions. Hum Brain Mapp 38:938-956, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on default mode network, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A default mode of brain function Normal adult human brain | 2001 | Observational study | |
| Resting-State Functional Connectivity Reflects Structural Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational cohort | |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| The precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex plays a pivotal role in the default mode network: Evidence from a partial correlation network analysis Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- The Mechanisms of Psychedelic Visionary Experiences: Hypotheses from Evolutionary Psychology Frontiers in Neuroscience September 28, 2017
- Implicit-explicit gradient of nondual awareness or consciousness as such. Neuroscience of Consciousness October 8, 2021
- Mapping the functional brain state of a world champion freediver in static dry apnea Brain Structure and Function 2021
- Reflexivity gradient-Consciousness knowing itself. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- Implicit-explicit gradient of nondual awareness or consciousness as such
and 10 more in the library
Cites 6
- Resting-State Functional Connectivity Reflects Structural Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Cerebral Cortex April 9, 2008
- Experience sampling during fMRI reveals default network and executive system contributions to mind wandering. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences May 26, 2009
- Age-related alterations in default mode network: Impact on working memory performance Neurobiology of Aging August 1, 2008
- Impact of meditation training on the default mode network during a restful state Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience March 24, 2012
- Increased default mode network connectivity associated with meditation Neuroscience Letters October 28, 2010
and 1 more in the library