Recruitment of lateral rostral prefrontal cortex in spontaneous and task-related thoughts
Recruitment of lateral rostral prefrontal cortex in spontaneous and task-related thoughts
复制标题
DOI：
10.1080/17470210903538114
复制
发表时间：
2010-01-01
影响因子：
1.7
通讯作者：
Burgess, Paul W.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Dumontheil, Iroise;Gilbert, Sam J.;Burgess, Paul W.
行为和神经影像学研究表明，自发和任务相关的思维过程具有共同的认知机制和神经基础。侧吻侧前额叶皮层（RPFC）是一个涉及自发思维和高级认知控制过程的大脑区域，如目标/亚目标整合和自我产生思想的操纵。因此，我们提出，外侧RPFC的招募可能遵循认知需求的u型函数：在低需求情况下相对较高，有利于自发思维的出现，在高需求情况下相对较高，这取决于该大脑区域支持的过程。我们使用功能性磁共振成像来研究健康参与者在执行两个任务时的大脑活动，每个任务都有三个层次的认知需求，在一个块设计中。问卷调查显示，在低认知需求条件下，与任务无关的想法出现频率最高。低认知需求条件和高认知需求条件分别与中间水平进行比较。在这两种对比中，外侧RPFC和顶叶上皮层都被激活，每种对比都有额外的激活。这些结果表明，当(a)任务需求低、思维游移时，以及(b)任务需要目标/子目标整合和自我产生思想的操作时，RPFC都参与其中。
Behavioural and neuroimaging studies suggest that spontaneous and task-related thought processes share common cognitive mechanisms and neural bases. Lateral rostral prefrontal cortex (RPFC) is a brain region that has been implicated both in spontaneous thought and in high-level cognitive control processes, such as goal/subgoal integration and the manipulation of self-generated thoughts. We therefore propose that the recruitment of lateral RPFC may follow a U-shaped function of cognitive demand: relatively high in low-demand situations conducive to the emergence of spontaneous thought, and in high-demand situations depending on processes supported by this brain region. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate brain activity while healthy participants performed two tasks, each with three levels of cognitive demands, in a block design. The frequency of task-unrelated thoughts, measured by questionnaire, was highest in the low cognitive demand condition. Low and high cognitive demand conditions were each compared to the intermediate level. Lateral RPFC and superior parietal cortex were recruited in both comparisons, with additional activations specific to each contrast. These results suggest that RPFC is involved both when (a) task demands are low, and the mind wanders, and (b) the task requires goal/subgoal integration and manipulation of self-generated thoughts.