A Coordinate-Based Meta-Analysis of Overlaps in Regional Specialization and Functional Connectivity across Subjective Value and Default Mode Networks

Abstract

Previous research has provided qualitative evidence for overlap in a number of brain regions across the subjective value network (SVN) and the default mode network (DMN). In order to quantitatively assess this overlap, we conducted a series of coordinate-based meta-analyses (CBMA) of results from 466 functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments on task-negative or subjective value-related activations in the human brain. In these analyses, we first identified significant overlaps and dissociations across activation foci related to SVN and DMN. Second, we investigated whether these overlapping subregions also showed similar patterns of functional connectivity, suggesting a shared functional subnetwork. We find considerable overlap between SVN and DMN in subregions of central ventromedial prefrontal cortex (cVMPFC) and dorsal posterior cingulate cortex (dPCC). Further, our findings show that similar patterns of bidirectional functional connectivity between cVMPFC and dPCC are present in both networks. We discuss ways in which our understanding of how subjective value (SV) is computed and represented in the brain can be synthesized with what we know about the DMN, mind-wandering, and self-referential processing in light of our findings.

Keywords: decision making; default mode network; fMRI BOLD; metaanalysis; subjective value.

Figure 1

Conjunctions and contrasts of DMN and SVN using CBMA. For assessing functional specialization for DMN or SVN, we contrasted their ALE images, which are reported as z-scores (in blue for DMN specialization or red for SVN specialization). The overlaps were assessed by the conjunction of the DMN and SVN ALE images and are reported as ALE scores (in purple). Overlaps across the two networks were found in VMPFC, striatum, ventral and dorsal PCC, and bilateral amygdala. The overlap cluster containing the maximum ALE statistic was in the VMPFC (ALE = 64.4 × 10⁻³). Coordinates and cluster information for the conjunction are listed in Table 1.

Figure 2

Conjunctions and contrasts of DMN and SVN using MACM, focusing on functional connectivity with VMPFC. For assessing connectivity patterns that were specific to DMN or SVN, we contrasted their ALE images, which are reported as z-scores (in blue for DMN-specific connectivity or red for SVN-specific connectivity). The overlaps in functional connectivity assessed by the conjunction of the DMN and SVN ALE images and are reported as ALE scores (in purple). Overlaps in functional connectivity with VMPFC were found in dPCC, vPCC, striatum, amygdala, and MFG. The maximum ALE statistic outside the VMPFC seed in this conjunction was found in dPCC (ALE = 20.1 × 10⁻³). Coordinates and cluster information for the conjunction are listed in Table 2.

Figure 3

Conjunctions and contrasts of DMN and SVN using MACM, focusing on functional connectivity with dPCC. For assessing connectivity patterns that were specific to DMN or SVN, we contrasted their ALE images, which are reported as z-scores (in blue for DMN-specific connectivity or red for SVN-specific connectivity). The overlaps in functional connectivity assessed by the conjunction of the DMN and SVN ALE images and are reported as ALE scores (in purple). Overlaps in functional connectivity with PCC were found in VMPFC and dACC. The maximum ALE statistic outside the dPCC seed in this conjunction was found in the dACC (ALE = 20.4 × 10⁻³). Coordinates and cluster information for the conjunction are listed in Table 3.