Extraversion and anterior vs. posterior DMN activity during self-referential thoughts
G. Knyazev
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience January 7, 2013 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00348 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Measures | self-referential positive expectations (SRPE) questionnaire item, EEG alpha power (source localization and independent component analyses) |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Key findings | Hierarchical regression showed a significant interaction between extraversion and anterior versus posterior DMN alpha activity in predicting self-referential positive expectation (SRPE) scores: in extraverts, high SRPE was associated with increased posterior DMN alpha power, whereas in introverts it was associated with increased anterior DMN alpha power. The authors interpret this as differential involvement of the two DMN hubs in self-related reward processes. |
Abstract
Recent studies show that fronto-posterior electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power distribution is associated with personality. Specifically, extraversion is associated with an increase of spectral power in posterior cortical regions that overlap with the posterior default mode network (DMN) hub and a decrease of spectral power in anterior regions that overlap with the anterior DMN hub. Although there is evidence that dopaminergic neurotransmission may be involved, psychological processes that underlie these associations remain unclear. I hypothesize that these processes may have something to do with spontaneous self-referential thoughts. Specifically, I hypothesize that in extraverts self-referential thoughts may be associated with an increase of spectral power in the posterior DMN hub, whereas in introverts they may be associated with an increase of spectral power in the anterior DMN hub. After spontaneous EEG registration, participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire describing their thoughts during the registration. An item describing self-referential positive expectations (SRPE) was used to measure individual differences in the intensity of these processes. Source localization and independent component analyses were applied to EEG data to reveal oscillatory activity associated with the anterior and the posterior DMN hubs. Hierarchical regression analysis showed a significant interaction between extraversion scores and anterior vs. posterior DMN alpha activity in predicting individual differences in SRPE scores. In extraverts, high SRPE scores were associated with an increase of alpha power in the posterior DMN hub, whereas in introverts they were associated with an increase of alpha power in the anterior DMN hub. Results are discussed in terms of differential involvement of the two DMN hubs in self-related reward processes in extraverts and introverts.
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 3
- The Psychedelic State Induced by Ayahuasca Modulates the Activity and Connectivity of the Default Mode Network PLoS One February 18, 2015
- The "two-brain" approach reveals the active role of task-deactivated default mode network in speech comprehension. Cerebral Cortex October 20, 2022
- Trait lasting alteration of the brain default mode network in experienced meditators and the experiential selfhood February 12, 2016
Cites 5
- The precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex plays a pivotal role in the default mode network: Evidence from a partial correlation network analysis Neuroimage June 13, 2008
- Frontal theta EEG activity correlates negatively with the default mode network in resting state International Journal of Psychophysiology July 13, 2007
- BOLD correlates of EEG alpha phase-locking and the fMRI default mode network Neuroimage January 15, 2009
- The default mode network and EEG alpha oscillations: An independent component analysis Brain Research June 3, 2011
- Dopamine Transporters in Striatum Correlate with Deactivation in the Default Mode Network during Visuospatial Attention PLoS One June 30, 2009