Changes in Functional Connectivity Between Default Mode Network and Attention Network in Response to Changes in Aerobic Exercise Intensity
Young-woo Ko, S. Kim, K. Kang, D. Han
Psychiatry Investigation 2023 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2022.0245 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subject experimental study (crossover, pre-post) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Healthy male volunteers |
| Intervention | High-intensity aerobic exercise |
| Duration | 10 min each of moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise; resting-state fMRI and attention tests before and after each session |
| Measures | Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (functional connectivity within the DMN and DAN), visuospatial attention test (reaction time and rate of correct responses) |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Key findings | Moderate-intensity exercise was associated with the highest dorsal attention network connectivity and the lowest default mode network-dorsal attention network connectivity, whereas high-intensity exercise was associated with higher default mode network connectivity and worse visuospatial attention performance (slower reaction times, fewer correct responses). The authors argue these results support the inverted-U hypothesis, in which moderate arousal produces the best cognitive and brain-activity outcomes. |
Abstract
Objective: Aerobic exercise may be associated with changes in brain activity within the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attention network (DAN). We hypothesized that changes in functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN and DAN might be most effectively activated by moderate-intensity exercise.
Methods: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and visuospatial attention tests after resting were performed before and after each of moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercises (10 min each) in 15 healthy male volunteers.
Results: The reaction time during the attention test increased significantly, and the rate of correct responses decreased from moderate-intensity exercise condition to high-intensity exercise condition. FC within the DMN under high-intensity exercise condition was higher than that under pre-exercise and moderate-intensity exercise conditions. FC within the DAN under moderate-intensity exercise condition was the highest, whereas FC between the DMN and DAN under moderate-intensity exercise condition was the lowest. Changes in cognitive domain functions were associated with changes in FC between the DMN and DAN.
Conclusion: Our results support the inverted-U hypothesis of maximum arousal efficacy during moderate exercise. Both cognitive domains, namely, the attention system and brain activity domains, may be better under moderate-intensity exercise than under high-intensity exercise.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on default mode network, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Healthy volunteers | 2012 | Within-subjects, placebo-controlled, task-free fMRI study | n = 30 |
| The effects of psilocybin and MDMA on between-network resting state functional connectivity in healthy volunteers | 2014 | Placebo-controlled study | |
| Ketamine Decreases Resting State Functional Network Connectivity in Healthy Subjects: Implications for Antidepressant Drug Action Healthy subjects | 2012 | Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover rsfMRI challenge | |
| Antidepressants Normalize the Default Mode Network in Patients With Dysthymia Subjects with dysthymic disorder and healthy control participants aged 18 to 53 years | 2013 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Functional Connectivity Measures After Psilocybin Inform a Novel Hypothesis of Early Psychosis Healthy volunteers | 2012 | Within-subject, placebo-controlled experimental study | n = 15 |