Age differences in specific neural connections within the Default Mode Network underlie theory of mind

Hughes, Colleen; Cassidy, Brittany S.; Faskowitz, Joshua; Avena-Koenigsberger, Andrea; Sporns, Olaf; Krendl, Anne C.

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.02.024

Cited by 33 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 80 publications

(117 reference statements)

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“…Although the ToM and the language network can be considered as distinct networks, they can get synchronized during language comprehension (Paunov et al, 2019). In some respect, theory of mind processing is also related to the Default Mode Network, as has been shown in a study about ToM abilities as a function of aging (Hughes et al, 2019).…”

Section: The Theory Of Mind Systemmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Margins of the Language Network in the Brain

2020

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This review paper summarizes the various brain modules that are involved in speech and language communication in addition to a left-dominant "core" language network that, for the present purpose, has been restricted to elementary formal-linguistic and more or less disembodied functions such as abstract phonology, syntax, and very basic lexical functions. This left-dominant perisylvian language network comprises parts of inferior frontal gyrus, premotor cortex, and upper temporal lobe, and a temporoparietal interface. After introducing this network, first, the various roles of neighboring and functionally connected brain regions are discussed. As a second approach, entire additional networks were considered rather than single regions, mainly motivated by resting-state studies indicating more or less stable connectivity patterns within these networks. Thirdly, some examples are provided for language tasks with functional demands exceeding the operating domain of the core language network. The rationale behind this approach is to present some outline of how the brain produces and perceives language, accounting, first, for a bulk of clinical studies showing typical forms of aphasia in case of left-hemispheric lesions in the core language network and second, for widespread activation patterns beyond this network in various experimental studies with language tasks. Roughly, the brain resources that complement the core language system in a task-specific way can be described as a number of brain structures and networks that are related to (1) motor representations, (2) sensory-related representations, (3) non-verbal memory structures, (4) affective/emotional processing, (5) social cognition and theory of mind, (6) meaning in context, and (7) cognitive control. After taking into account all these aspects, first, it seems clear that natural language communication cannot really work without additional systems. Second, it also becomes evident that during language acquisition the core language network has to be built up from outside, that is, from various neuronal activations that are related to sensory input, motor imitation, nursing, pre-linguistic sound communication, and pre-linguistic pragmatics. Furthermore, it might be worth considering that also in cases of aphasia the language network might be restored by being trained from outside.

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Section: The Theory Of Mind Systemmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Margins of the Language Network in the Brain

2020

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“…This finding was followed by an increasing number of studies showing the opposite effect, an age-related decline in taking the perspective of others [43]. However, there are still studies showing a preservation of socio-cognitive processes with age [44][45][46][47][48][49][50]. Research on adult age differences in social affect is a little more consistent with most studies showing a preservation or even enhancement in empathy and royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rsos R. Soc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

The ageing of the social mind: replicating the preservation of socio-affective and the decline of socio-cognitive processes in old age

et al. 2021

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Anticipating population ageing to reach a historically unprecedented level in this century and considering the public goal of promoting well-being until old age, research in many fields has started to focus on processes and factors that contribute to healthy ageing. Since human interactions have a tremendous impact on our mental and physical well-being, scientists are increasingly investigating the basic processes that enable successful social interactions such as social affect (empathy, compassion) and social cognition (Theory of Mind). However, regarding the replication crisis in psychological science it is crucial to probe the reproducibility of findings revealed by each specific method. To this end, we aimed to replicate the effect of age on empathy, compassion and Theory of Mind observed in Reiter and colleagues' study (Reiter et al. 2017 Sci. Rep. 7 , 11046 ( doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10669-4 )) by using the same ecologically valid paradigm in an independent sample with similar age ranges. We were able to replicate the previously observed results of a preservation or even enhancement in socio-affective processes, but a decline in socio-cognitive processes for older adults. Our findings add to the understanding of how social affect and cognition change across the adult lifespan and may suggest targets for intervention studies aiming to foster successful social interactions and well-being until advanced old age.

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“…Resting-state data were analyzed using custom artifact detection software (http://www.nitrc.org/projects/artifact_detect) to detect outlier time points for each participant. Following recommended conservative parameters for examining associations between DMN connectivity and age differences in behavior (47), volumes were excluded if the signal for that time point fell three standard deviations outside the mean global signal for the entire run or if the scan-to-scan head motion exceeded .5 mm in any direction. Volumes were excluded from further analyses using participant-regressors of no interest.…”

Section: R a F Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…servative preprocessing method that partly controls for such variability (47), but future work could also include physiological measures as regressors in comparable analyses. Second, the extreme groups design precluded causal inferences from age-related effects.…”

Section: R a F Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intrinsic Functional Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Predicts Mnemonic Discrimination: A Connectome-based Modeling Approach

Christensen

Reagh

et al. 2021

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The ability to distinguish existing memories from similar perceptual experiences is a core feature of episodic memory. This ability is often examined using the Mnemonic Similarity Task in which people discriminate memories of studied objects from perceptually similar lures. Studies of the neural basis of such mnemonic discrimination have focused on hippocampal function and connectivity. However, default mode network (DMN) connectivity may also support such discrimination, given that the DMN includes the hippocampus, and its connectivity supports many aspects of episodic memory. Here, we used connectome-based modeling to identify associations between intrinsic DMN connectivity and mnemonic discrimination. We leveraged established discrimination deficits in older adults to test whether such age differences moderate network-wide relationships. Resting-state functional connectivity in the DMN predicted mnemonic discrimination ability outside the MRI scanner, especially among prefrontal and temporal regions and including several hippocampal regions. This predictive relationship was stronger for younger than older adults, with age differences primarily reflecting older adults’ weaker temporal-prefrontal connectivity. These novel associations suggest that broader cortical networks including the hippocampus support mnemonic discrimination. They also suggest that disruptions within the DMN that emerge in healthy aging undermine the extent that the DMN supports this ability. These findings provide the first indication of how intrinsic functional properties of the DMN support mnemonic discrimination.

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Age differences in specific neural connections within the Default Mode Network underlie theory of mind

Cited by 33 publications

References 80 publications

The Margins of the Language Network in the Brain

The Margins of the Language Network in the Brain

The ageing of the social mind: replicating the preservation of socio-affective and the decline of socio-cognitive processes in old age

Intrinsic Functional Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Predicts Mnemonic Discrimination: A Connectome-based Modeling Approach

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