The cingulo-opercular
This week we focus on the last of the cognitive related neural networks: the cingulo-opercular. In this writing assignment, List brain hubs the make up the cingulo-opercular, and what role they regions play in cognitive behaviors. Restate the role of the LPFC in cognitive function. How do you think rTMS targeting the LPFC will affect the activity of cingulo-opercular, and why. What behavioral changes are expected if the cingulo-opercular network is targeted with high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. How might self-regulation be affected by rTMS to the lateral prefrontal cortex?
Sample Solution
Functional magnetic resonance imaging research has provided evidence of stable, intrinsic functional networks in the human brain (Fox et al., 2005). These functional networks are detectable both during the performance of cognitive tasks (Dosenbach et al., 2006) and while an individual is at rest (Power et al., 2011). Two functional networks, the fronto-parietal network (FPN) and cingulo-opercular network (CON), are hypothesized to support top-down control of executive functioning, and have therefore emerged as potential drivers of cognitive impairment in disease-states. The complex processing architecture underlying attentional control requires delineation of the functional role of different control-related brain networks. A key component is the cingulo-opercular network composed of anterior insula/operculum, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and thalamus.