Correlation of the Anterior Salience Network with Attention: A Resting-state fMRI Analysis

Authors

Matthew Brooks, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Hideo Suzuki, Ph.D

Second Advisor

Caron Clark, Ph.D

Date of this Version

5-2022

Document Type

Article

Citation

Brooks, M. (2022). Correlation of the Anterior Salience Network with Attention: A Resting-state fMRI Analysis [Unpublished master's thesis]. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts, Major: Educational Psychology, Under the Supervision of Professor Hideo Suzuki. Lincoln, Nebraska: May 2022

Copyright © 2022 Matthew E. Brooks

Abstract

Background: Some studies have broadened our understanding of attention while other studies have used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analyses to identify brain regions that are functionally connected and may be associated with salience processing. This thesis sought to examine the relationship between the anterior salience network and attentional control. The current study hypothesized that resting-state functional connectivity between regions of the anterior salience network would be associated with attentional control ability. Methods: Forty-eight college-aged students completed the affective Stroop task to assess attentional regulation ability. Accuracy on trials of the task was examined in correlation with resting-state functional connectivity values of seven regions of the anterior salience network. Results: Some correlations were identified between performance accuracy and the anterior salience network. Noteworthy, when attentional control was required (i.e., “incongruent” trials of the task), performance accuracy was positively correlated with functional connectivity between the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, as well as the anterior insula. Conclusions: These findings suggest that intrinsic functional connectivity in the anterior salience network might be able to indicate elements of attentional control.

Advisor: Hideo Suzuki