Abstract

The default mode network (DMN) is a principal brain network in the mammalian brain. Although the DMN in humans has been extensively studied with respect to network structure, function, and clinical implications, our knowledge of DMN in animals remains limited. In particular, the functional role of DMN nodes, and how DMN organization relates to DMN-relevant behavior are still elusive. Here we investigated the causal relationship of inactivating a pivotal node of DMN (i.e., dorsal anterior cingulate cortex [dACC]) on DMN function, network organization, and behavior by combining chemogenetics, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and behavioral tests in awake rodents. We found that suppressing dACC activity profoundly changed the activity and connectivity of DMN, and these changes were associated with altered DMN-related behavior in animals. The chemo-rsfMRI-behavior approach opens an avenue to mechanistically dissecting the relationships between a specific node, brain network function, and behavior. Our data suggest that, like in humans, DMN in rodents is a functional network with coordinated activity that mediates behavior.

中文翻译：

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抑制前扣带皮层调节清醒大鼠的默认模式网络和行为。

 抽象的

默认模式网络（DMN）是哺乳动物大脑中的主要大脑网络。尽管人类 DMN 的网络结构、功能和临床意义已得到广泛研究，但我们对动物 DMN 的了解仍然有限。特别是，DMN 节点的功能角色以及 DMN 组织如何与 DMN 相关行为相关仍然难以捉摸。在这里，我们通过结合化学遗传学、静息态功能磁共振成像 (rsfMRI) 和行为测试，研究了 DMN 关键节点（即背侧前扣带皮层 [dACC]）失活对 DMN 功能、网络组织和行为的因果关系在清醒的啮齿动物中。我们发现抑制 dACC 活性深刻改变了 DMN 的活性和连接性，并且这些变化与动物 DMN 相关行为的改变有关。化学 rsfMRI 行为方法为机械地剖析特定节点、大脑网络功能和行为之间的关系开辟了一条途径。我们的数据表明，与人类一样，啮齿类动物的 DMN 是一个具有协调行为的功能网络。