Relationship Between Alpha Rhythm and the Default Mode Network: An EEG-fMRI Study
Anthony D. Bowman, Joseph C. Griffis, Kristina M. Visscher, A. Dobbins, T. Gawne, M. Difrancesco, J. Szaflarski
Journal of clinical neurophysiology November 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1097/wnp.0000000000000411 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study using concurrently acquired EEG and functional MRI Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Adults aged 19 to 37 (10 females) during eyes-closed rest |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Key findings | Four of six independent components significantly related to alpha power contained default mode network regions; one correlated positively with alpha power while the others correlated negatively. Two components with opposite alpha relationships overlapped in the medial prefrontal and posterior cingulate cortices, which the authors suggest may indicate subpopulations of neurons within these nodes behave differently, so different parts of the DMN show divergent relationships to alpha power. |
Abstract
Purpose: Reports of the relationship between the default mode network (DMN) and alpha power are conflicting. Our goal was to assess this relationship by analyzing concurrently obtained EEG/functional MRI data using hypothesis-independent methods.
Methods: We collected functional MRI and EEG data during eyes-closed rest in 20 participants aged 19 to 37 (10 females) and performed independent component analysis on the functional MRI data and a Hamming-windowed fast Fourier transform on the EEG data. We correlated functional MRI fluctuations in the DMN with alpha power.
Results: Of the six independent components found to have significant relationships with alpha, four contained DMN-associated regions: One independent component was positively correlated with alpha power, whereas all others were negatively correlated. Furthermore, two independent components with opposite relationships with alpha had overlapping voxels in the medial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex, suggesting that subpopulations of neurons within these classic nodes within the DMN may have different relationships to alpha power.
Conclusions: Different parts of the DMN exhibit divergent relationships to alpha power. Our results highlight the relationship between DMN activity and alpha power, indicating that networks, such as the DMN, may have subcomponents that exhibit different behaviors.
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 4
- High Theta–Low Alpha Modulation of Brain Electric Activity During Eyes-Open Brahma Kumaris Rajyoga Meditation Mindfulness July 1, 2023
- Processing of self-related thoughts in experienced users of classic psychedelics: A source localisation EEG study. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry January 10, 2025
- Electrocortical Indices of Default Mode Network-Related Activity in ADHD and Modulation Through Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Brain Topography June 26, 2026
- Pain-free default mode network connectivity contributes to tonic experimental pain intensity beyond the role of negative mood and other pain-related factors. European Journal of Pain May 31, 2023
Cites 6
- A default mode of brain function Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 16, 2001
- Resting-State Functional Connectivity Reflects Structural Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Cerebral Cortex April 9, 2008
- Development of the Brain's Default Mode Network from Wakefulness to Slow Wave Sleep Cerebral Cortex February 17, 2011
- Resting State Networks and Consciousness Frontiers in Psychology 2012
- The default mode network and EEG alpha oscillations: An independent component analysis Brain Research June 3, 2011
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