Neural Correlates of Goal‐Directed Preparation to Switching Across External and Internal Domains

TL;DR

This study explores how the brain prepares to switch between internal and external tasks, identifying specific brain regions involved in the process.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel focus on brain changes during switching to and from self-referential processing.

Findings

Preparing for internal tasks activates the default mode network, while external tasks activate the dorsal attention network.

Switch preparation involves left-lateralized dorsal attention network regions and the dorsal precuneus.

The dorsal precuneus is consistently engaged in task-switch preparation, indicating its role in cognitive control.

Abstract

While it is well accepted that the human brain shifts between internal and external monitoring both during tasks and at rest, no task‐switching studies have focused on brain changes when switching from and to self‐referential processing. Using a cued task‐switching design, we explored the preparatory fMRI activation associated with switching not only within externally oriented tasks, but also within self‐referential tasks, as well as between these two domains. We found that preparing to perform internal tasks activated the default mode network, while preparing for external tasks activated regions of the dorsal attention network (DAN). Switch preparation activated left‐lateralised DAN regions with ventrolateral peaks as well as dorsal precuneus, posterior cingulate and supplementary motor area. These results show a dynamic pattern of communication across networks associated with external and internal domain processing and common preparatory activation in working memory and executive control regions. In particular, the dorsal precuneus was consistently engaged in task‐switch preparation, suggesting a key role of this region in cognitive control, in the context of switching across external and internal domains.

We used a cued task switching fMRI study to investigate switches between internally and externally oriented tasks. Switch preparation was associated with activation of frontoparietal areas (especially dorsal precuneus), including regions belonging to the default mode and dorsal attention networks.

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