The role of the brain's executive and default networks in human thought and spontaneous cognition

人类的思考、推理和解决问题的能力集中体现了灵长类进化过程中出现的一些最高认知能力。思考在人类成年后的生活中无处不在，既有针对特定问题的解决方案的深思熟虑的、努力的思维过程，也有自发的、无方向的思维流，这种思维流是自己雅阁进行的，通常与正在进行的活动或外部环境没有明显的关系。这项研究探讨了两个主要的大脑网络在人类思维中的作用：执行网络和默认网络。执行网络通常与目标导向的、刻意的认知相关，而默认网络则是在认知需求较低的情况下招募的。然而，这两种网络似乎都有助于自发的思维过程，如走神和创造性认知。在一系列功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）研究中，该研究项目探讨了特定的执行和默认大脑区域如何对不同维度的思维做出贡献（例如，自发与故意;刺激独立与刺激导向;情绪与非情绪;评价与创造性想法的产生）。该研究项目采用高度创新，独特的方法来研究人类思维，通过探索故意和自发的思维形式，并利用基于大脑活动实时fMRI读数的功能神经成像新方法。它也有可能有助于更好地了解大脑疾病和治疗应用的发展。

Human thought, reasoning and problem solving epitomize some of the highest cognitive abilities that haveemerged in the course of primate evolution. Thinking occurs ubiquitously throughout human adult life, both inthe form of deliberate, effortful thought processes directed towards the solution of a particular problem, and in the form of spontaneous, undirected thought flow that proceeds of its own accord and often bears no apparent relation to ongoing activities or the external environment. This research explores the role of two principal brain networks in human thought: the executive and default networks. The executive network is typically associated with goal-directed, deliberate cognition while the default network is recruited during conditions of low cognitive demands. Both networks, however, appear to contribute to spontaneous thought processes such as mind wandering and creative cognition. In a series of functional Magnetic Resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, this research program explores how specific executive and default brain regions contribute to different dimensions of thought (e.g., spontaneous vs deliberate; stimulus-independent vs stimulus-oriented; emotional vs non-emotional; evaluation vs. generation of creative ideas). This research program takes a highly innovative, unique approach to the study of human thought, by exploring both deliberate and spontaneous forms of thinking and by utilizing a novel method for functional neuroimaging based on real-time fMRI readings of brain activity. It also has the potential to contribute to a greater understanding of brain disorders and the development of treatment applications.