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Cited by 65Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesAction Observation and SynchronizationMind wandering and attention

Specific default mode subnetworks support mentalizing as revealed through opposing network recruitment by social and semantic FMRI tasks: Mentalizing and Default-Mode Subnetworks

Open access
Hyatt, Christopher J., Calhoun, Vince D., Pearlson, Godfrey D., Assaf, Michal·2015·Human Brain Mapping
DOI 10.1002/hbm.22827PMC PMC6869394
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Abstract

The ability to attribute mental states to others, or "mentalizing," is posited to involve specific subnetworks within the overall default mode network (DMN), but this question needs clarification. To determine which default mode (DM) subnetworks are engaged by mentalizing processes, we assessed task-related recruitment of DM subnetworks. Spatial independent component analysis (sICA) applied to fMRI data using relatively high-order model (75 components). Healthy participants (n = 53, ages 17-60) performed two fMRI tasks: an interactive game involving mentalizing (Domino), a semantic memory task (SORT), and a resting state fMRI scan. sICA of the two tasks split the DMN into 10 subnetworks located in three core regions: medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC; five subnetworks), posterior cingulate/precuneus (PCC/PrC; three subnetworks), and bilateral temporoparietal junction (TPJ). Mentalizing events increased recruitment in five of 10 DM subnetworks, located in all three core DMN regions. In addition, three of these five DM subnetworks, one dmPFC subnetwork, one PCC/PrC subnetwork, and the right TPJ subnetwork, showed reduced recruitment by semantic memory task events. The opposing modulation by the two tasks suggests that these three DM subnetworks are specifically engaged in mentalizing. Our findings, therefore, suggest the unique involvement of mentalizing processes in only three of 10 DM subnetworks, and support the importance of the dmPFC, PCC/PrC, and right TPJ in mentalizing as described in prior studies.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Using a high-order spatial ICA (75 components) on fMRI data from 53 healthy adults, the study found that the default mode network (DMN) splits into 10 subnetworks, only three of which showed opposing recruitment by a social mentalizing task versus a semantic memory task. These three subnetworks—dmPFC, precuneus, and right TPJ—were interpreted as uniquely supporting mentalizing.

Key findings

  • High-order sICA split the DMN into 10 subnetworks across three core regions: medial prefrontal cortex (5 subnetworks), posterior cingulate/precuneus (3 subnetworks), and bilateral temporoparietal junction.
  • Domino mentalizing events (show > no-show) significantly increased recruitment in 5 of 10 DM subnetworks: PCC/PrC (IC 18), precuneus (IC 54), left TPJ (IC 55), right TPJ (IC 49), and dmPFC (IC 64); dmPFC/ACC (IC 46) was trend-level (FDR q = 0.065).
  • Three of those five—right TPJ (IC 49), precuneus (IC 54), and dmPFC (IC 64)—showed reduced recruitment by SORT semantic memory events, suggesting they are uniquely engaged in mentalizing.
  • Two subnetworks—PCC/PrC (IC 18) and left TPJ (IC 55)—were also positively modulated by SORT retrieval events, indicating they support both mentalizing and semantic memory retrieval; four DM subnetworks showed no significant mentalizing effect.

Methods

  • Fifty-three healthy native English speakers (24 males, 29 females; ages 17–60, mean age 35.1, SD 13.6) completed the Domino social interactive game task, the SORT semantic object retrieval task, and a resting-state fMRI scan.
  • fMRI data were analyzed with group spatial ICA using GIFT at a 75-component model order, Infomax ICA repeated 15 times in ICASSO, and GICA3 back-reconstruction; task-related recruitment was assessed by temporal sorting, regressing component time courses against SPM GLM design regressors.
  • Statistical tests included one-sample t-tests, paired t-tests for SORT retrieval > non-retrieval, and a 2 × 2 ANOVA for Domino (Opponent Type × Mentalizing), with FDR correction across 28 networks; age and gender covariates showed no significant effects.

Limitations

  • The paper states that resting-state fMRI used a different TR (1500 msec) than Domino/SORT (1860 msec), prompting a separate sICA for resting-state data, though the authors note this may not have been necessary given high similarity between resting and task DMN component maps.
  • The paper states that resting-state scans for 10 of 53 subjects were acquired on a different date, with five more than half a year earlier than Domino/SORT; prior reproducibility studies cited by the authors suggest this should not substantially change resting-state component maps.
  • The paper notes that high-order sICA increases functional neuroanatomical precision but comes “at the expense of reduced repeatability.”

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1002/hbm.22827

Cites

83 of 83 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 51 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Three of the five DM subnetworks recruited by mentalizing events-one dmPFC subnetwork, one PCC/PrC subnetwork, and the right TPJ subnetwork-showed reduced recruitment by semantic memory task events.

    “In addition, three of these five DM subnetworks, one dmPFC subnetwork, one PCC/PrC subnetwork, and the right TPJ subnetwork, showed reduced recruitment by semantic memory task events.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Spatial independent component analysis (sICA) of the two fMRI tasks split the default mode network (DMN) into 10 subnetworks located in three core regions: medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC; five subnetworks), posterior cingulate/precuneus (PCC/PrC; three subnetworks), and bilateral temporoparietal junction (TPJ).

    “sICA of the two tasks split the DMN into 10 subnetworks located in three core regions: medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC; five subnetworks), posterior cingulate/precuneus (PCC/PrC; three subnetworks), and bilateral temporoparietal junction (TPJ).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Opposing task-related modulation of network recruitment in mentalizing networks was demonstrated using an approach in which fMRI data from two tasks collected on the same individuals was included within one sICA.

    “Unlike prior studies on social cognition, semantic recall and the DMN, however, we demonstrated opposing task-related modulation of network recruitment in mentalizing networks using an approach in which fMRI data from two tasks collected on the same individuals was included within one (vs.separate) sICA, a method introduced only recently [Cetin et al., 2014;Demirci et al., 2009].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cetin et al., 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Demirci et al., 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Findingown data

    Resting state-derived DM subnetworks had a high degree of spatial correlation with the Domino-SORT DM subnetworks.

    “Finally, we also showed using a separate sICA, that resting state-derived DM subnetworks had a high degree of spatial correlation with the Domino-SORT DM subnetworks (see Supporting Information).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In five of the eight DM ICNs with a significant retrieval > non-retrieval contrast, retrieval events showed significantly less of a decrease than non-retrieval events in network recruitment.

    “and in five of these eight ICNs, retrieval events simply showed significantly less of a decrease than non-retrieval events in network recruitment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 40
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 28
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Mentalizing events increased recruitment in five of the 10 DM subnetworks, located in all three core DMN regions.

    “Mentalizing events increased recruitment in five of 10 DM subnetworks, located in all three core DMN regions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The 28 ICNs were reduced into ten DM subnetworks, identified through spatial correlation using a DMN template mask.

    “As our hypotheses concern only the DMN, in a third step (Fig. 1) we reduced our 28 ICNs into ten DM subnetworks, which were identified through spatial correlation using a DMN template mask provided with the GIFT toolbox (rDMN_ICA_REST_3x3x3.nii).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The Domino show > no-show contrast was significant in two of the three posterior medial region DM subnetworks (ICs 18 and 54), while SORT showed opposing modulation in only one of the three (IC 54).

    “The Domino show>no-show contrast, was significant in two of the three posterior medial region DM subnetworks (ICs 18 and 54).The SORT, however, only showed opposing modulation in one of the three (IC 54).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Mean reaction time for incorrect SORT retrieval trials (1.069 ± 0.264 sec) did not differ significantly from incorrect non-retrieval trials (1.094 ± 0.264 sec).

    “and 1.069 6 0.264 sec for incorrect retrieval trials versus 1.094 6 0.264 sec for incorrect non-retrieval trials (t 5 20.639, P 5 0.526; paired t-test).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In IC 60 (mPFC), retrieval and non-retrieval events both showed no significant changes in network recruitment, although the contrast was significant.

    “However, in IC 60 (mPFC) retrieval and non-retrieval events both showed no significant changes in network recruitment (i.e., the contrast was significant, but the individual events were not significant)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Domino task events positively modulate the ICN TCs in precuneus (IC 54), right TPJ (IC 49), and dmPFC (IC 64), whereas SORT task events negatively modulate these same ICN TCs.

    “Domino task events positively modulate these ICN TCs, whereas SORT task events negatively modulate these same ICN TCs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    IC 36 (PCC/PrC) was not significantly modulated by show or no-show events, nor by the show > no-show contrast; for SORT, only non-retrieval events showed a significant decrease in network recruitment.

    “Network recruitment in one of the posterior medial subnetworks (IC 36, PCC/PrC) was not significantly modulated by show or no-show events, nor by the event contrast, show>no-show.For SORT, only non-retrieval events showed a significant decrease in network recruitment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The no-show task event increased network recruitment in dmPFC/ACC (IC 46), vmPFC (IC 57), mPFC (IC 60), and dmPFC (IC 64), but decreased network recruitment in right TPJ (IC 49).

    “The no-show task event increased network recruitment in dmPFC/ACC (IC 46), vmPFC (IC 57), mPFC (IC 60), and dmPFC (IC 64), but decreased network recruitment in right TPJ (IC 49).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Mean accuracy for SORT retrieval trials was 87.1% ± 10.4% and for non-retrieval trials was 90.0% ± 12.8%, with no significant difference (t = -1.696, P = 0.096).

    “Our findings for mean accuracy for SORT were 87.1% 6 10.4% for the retrieval trials and 90.0% 6 12.8% for the non-retrieval trials (t 5 21.696, P 5 0.096; paired t-test).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    High-order sICA split the DMN into a number of smaller regions, including five separate ICNs in the anterior medial region, three ICNs in the posterior medial region, and separate ICNs for the left and right TPJ.

    “Consistent with previous studies [Allen et al., 2011], high-order sICA notably split the DMN into a number of smaller regions, including five separate ICNs in the anterior medial region (Fig. 1, panel C) and three ICNs in the posterior medial region (Fig. 1, panel A) as well as separate ICNs for the left and right TPJ.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Allen et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The right TPJ (IC 49) showed a significant increase in network recruitment for mentalizing (show > no-show) with decreased modulation by SORT.

    “In particular, we observed that the right TPJ (IC 49) showed a significant increase in network recruitment for mentalizing (although not significant for the Opponent Type factor) with decreased modulation by SORT.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    IC 30 (rostral ACC) was not significantly modulated by show or no-show events, nor by the show > no-show contrast; IC 60 (mPFC) and IC 57 (vmPFC) were significantly increased by both show and no-show events but not modulated by the show > no-show contrast.

    “For the remaining three anterior medial regions subnetworks, we found that IC 30 (rostral ACC), was not significantly modulated by show or no-show events, nor by the event contrast, show>no-show, while network recruitment in IC 60 (mPFC) and IC 57 (vmPFC), although significantly increased by both show and no-show events, was not modulated by the event contrast, show>no-show.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the SORT, retrieval and non-retrieval task events decreased network recruitment in five and nine of the 10 DM ICNs, respectively.

    “The retrieval and non-retrieval task events for the SORT, in contrast to Domino task events, decreased network recruitment in five and nine of the 10 ICNs comprising the DMN, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The show task event significantly increased network recruitment in eight of the 10 DM ICNs, and the no-show task event significantly increased network recruitment in four of the 10 DM ICNs.

    “The task events show and no-show significantly increased network recruitment in eight and four of the 10 DM ICNs, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Overlap between the ICN SMs for the DMN was very strong for all ICNs, with differences mainly in the spatial extent of the networks, with the Domino/SORT ICNs being in every case of greater spatial extent.

    “In general, overlap between the ICN SMs for the DMN was very strong for all ICNs, with differences mainly in the spatial extent of the networks, with the Domino/SORT ICNs being in every case of greater spatial extent.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    IC 46 was classified as not supporting mentalizing, but was trend-level significant for mentalizing.

    “(IC 46, denoted with an asterisk, is classified here as not supporting mentalizing, but was however trend-level significant for mentalizing).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Domino task events engage mentalizing processes and SORT events engage semantic memory retrieval.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingcitation

    Our results are in good agreement with the study by Jack et al.

    “Our results are in good agreement with the study by Jack et al.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Jack et al., 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Two DM subnetworks exhibited mentalizing (Domino show > no-show), but SORT Retrieval events were also significant for increasing network recruitment.

    “(B, C) Two DM subnetworks exhibiting mentalizing (i.e., Domino show > no-show), but where SORT Retrieval events were also significant for increasing network recruitment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Domino task events engage mentalizing processes and SORT events engage semantic memory retrieval.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    One DM subnetwork showed mentalizing only at trend level (FDR q = 0.065) but otherwise exhibited opposing modulation of network recruitment by the two tasks.

    “(A) The DM subnetwork in which mentalizing was significant only at the trend level (FDR q 5 0.065) but otherwise exhibiting opposing modulation of network recruitment by the two tasks.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Domino task events engage mentalizing processes and SORT events engage semantic memory retrieval.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A separate resting state sICA might not have been necessary, as a comparison between resting state and Domino/SORT DMN component SMs indicates a high degree of similarity, despite the separate sICA estimations.

    “A separate resting state sICA, however, might not have been necessary, as a comparison between resting state and Domino/SORT DMN component SMs shown in Figure S3 (Supporting Information) indicates a high degree of similarity, despite the separate sICA estimations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Activation in the DMN during the Response to Outcome phase of Domino is posited to occur due to mentalizing processes as well as future planning and is measured by the show>no-show contrast.

    “Activation in the DMN during this phase of the game is posited to occur due to mentalizing processes (e.g., trying to infer the opponent's strategy) as well as future planning (e.g., what chip to play next) and is measured by the show>no-show contrast [Assaf et al., 2010[Assaf et al., , 2009b]].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Assaf et al., 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Assaf et al., 2009b

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The SORT activates brain regions involved in semantic memory recall, including bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, left DLPFC, left middle temporal gyrus, bilateral angular gyrus, and PCC, as well as salience-related and language-related regions.

    “The SORT not only activates brain regions involved in semantic memory recall, which include bilateral inferior frontal gyrus (including Broca's area), left DLPFC, left middle temporal gyrus, bilateral angular gyrus, and PCC [Assaf et al., 2006;Binder et al., 2009], but also activates salience-related regions, including dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), pre-SMA [Assaf et al., 2006] and”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Assaf et al., 2006

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    • cites Binder et al., 2009 source

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    • cites Menon and Uddin, 2010 source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Spatial ICA extracts the DMN in its entirety and can split the DMN into discrete spatially distributed subnetworks (ICNs) characterized by high within-network functional connectivity.

    “Spatial ICA not only extracts the DMN in its entirety (even if GLM analysis of the same task data does not) but can also split the DMN into discrete spatially distributed subnetworks, known as intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs), which are brain regions characterized by a high degree of withinnetwork functional connectivity (i.e., voxel time course correlation) (for more on ICNs, see [Laird et”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Laird et al., 2011 source

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    • cites Rashid et al., 2014

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    • cites Seeley et al., 2007 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The DMN comprises a distributed network that includes medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and precuneus (PrC), and lateral temporoparietal junction (TPJ) regions.

    “The DMN comprises a distributed network that includes medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and precuneus (PrC), and lateral temporoparietal junction (TPJ) regions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Raichle et al., 2001 source

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    • cites Shulman et al., 1997 source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Tasks involving social cognition, interactive gameplaying involving mentalizing, empathy, goal-directed mental simulations, and declarative memory activate regions overlapping the DMN.

    “A number of recent studies have in fact shown that tasks involving social cognition [Jack et al., 2013;Schilbach et al., 2008], interactive gameplaying involving mentalizing (i.e., theory of mind) [Assaf et al., 2009b], empathy [Adams et al., 2010;Reniers et al., 2012], goal-directed mental simulations [Gerlach et al., 2011], and declarative (episodic and semantic) memory [Ino et al., 2011;Sestier”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Jack et al., 2013

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    • cites Schilbach et al., 2008 source

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    • cites Assaf et al., 2009b

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recent studies suggest that the DMN consists of several subnetworks with diverse and specialized roles, including subnetworks specific for self-referential or social cognitive processing, or differentiating between the self and others.

    “Recent studies suggest that the DMN consists of several subnetworks with diverse and specialized roles, including subnetworks specific for self-referential or social cognitive processing [Menon, 2011;Spreng et al., 2009], or differentiating between the self and others [van Veluw and Chance, 2014].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Menon, 2011 source

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    • cites Spreng et al., 2009 source

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    • cites van Veluw and Chance, 2014

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The Stanford functional ROI atlas consists of 14 individual ICNs, including Anterior- and Posterior Salience, Auditory, Basal Ganglia, Dorsal- and Ventral Default Mode, Higher Visual, Language, Left- and Right Executive Control, Sensorimotor, Precuneus, Primary Visual and Visuospatial networks.

    “To provide a framework for such a network classification, we used the Stanford functional ROI atlas (http://findlab.stanford.edu/func- tional_ROIs.html),consisting of 14 individual ICNs, including Anterior-and Posterior Salience, Auditory, Basal Ganglia, Dorsal-and Ventral Default Mode, Higher Visual, Language, Left-and Right Executive Control, Sensorimotor, Precuneus, Primary Visual and Visuosp”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shirer et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    IC 57 (vmPFC) is very likely a part of the DMN, but for the Domino task, appears to not be involved in mentalizing.

    “The subnetwork IC 57 (vmPFC), given the strong show and no-show eventrelated increases in network recruitment, and strong decreases in network recruitment by SORT retrieval and non-retrieval events, indicates it is very likely a part of the DMN, but for the Domino task, appears to not be involved in mentalizing.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Our findings support the role of the right TPJ in mentalizing processes, where Domino show events positively modulate network recruitment in the right TPJ, while Domino no-show events and SORT retrieval and non-retrieval events negatively modulate the network recruitment.

    “While examination of right TPJ functional heterogeneity is beyond the scope of this study, our findings support the role of the right TPJ in mentalizing processes, where Domino show events positively modulate network recruitment in the right TPJ, while Domino no-show events and SORT retrieval and non-retrieval events negatively modulate the network recruitment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Five DM subnetworks (ICs 30, 36, 46, 57, and 60) were not significant for mentalizing, although IC 46 was trend-level significant and demonstrated opposing modulation.

    “five DM subnetworks were not significant for mentalizing (ICs 30, 36, 46, 57, and 60; note, however, that IC 46 was trendlevel significant for mentalizing, and also demonstrated opposing modulation of network recruitment by the two tasks)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    All statistics on the b-weights for each event contrast were corrected for multiple comparisons using a false discovery rate procedure, with the number of multiple comparisons being 28.

    “All statistics on the b-weights for each event contrast were corrected for multiple comparisons using a false discovery rate procedure [Benjamini and Hochberg, 1995], with the number of multiple comparisons being 28, that is, the number of networks included in our study (see Table I).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Benjamini and Hochberg, 1995 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The DMN template mask was based on resting state sICA data from 42 subjects as outlined in Franco et al.

    “This DMN template mask was based on resting state sICA data from 42 subjects as outlined in Franco et al. [Franco et al., 2009].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Franco et al., 2009

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Movement parameters for each subject were screened for excess head movement (>4 mm) and six motion covariates were included in all regression analyses.

    “Movement parameters for each subject were then screened for excess head movement (> 4 mm) and six motion covariates (x, y, z, roll, pitch, yaw, obtained from the realignment) were included in all regression analyses, including the temporal sorting procedure described below.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The Infomax ICA algorithm was repeated 15 times in ICASSO to generate a stable set of 75 final components.

    “Next, we ran the Infomax ICA algorithm [Bell and Sejnowski, 1995], repeating it 15 times in ICASSO, implemented in GIFT, to generate a stable set of 75 final components.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bell and Sejnowski, 1995 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    A relatively high model order ICA (75 components) was chosen because previous studies have shown that high versus low-order ICA models result in components that better correspond to known anatomical and functional segmentations.

    “We chose a relatively high model order ICA (75 components) because previous studies have shown that high versus low-order ICA models result in components that better correspond to known anatomical and functional segmentations [Abou-Elseoud et al., 2010;Allen et al., 2011;Kiviniemi et al., 2009;Smith et al., 2009;Ystad et al., 2010].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Abou-Elseoud et al., 2010

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    • cites Allen et al., 2011

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    • cites Kiviniemi et al., 2009

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Components that are physiological artifacts often, but not always, exhibit both low dynamic range (DR) and low fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF).

    “As previously demonstrated, components that are physiological artifacts often, but not always, exhibit both low DR [Allen et al., 2011;Robinson et al., 2009] and low fALFF [Allen et al., 2011;Zou et al., 2008].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Allen et al., 2011

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    • cites Robinson et al., 2009

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    • cites Zou et al., 2008

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    The behavioral patterns in the SORT are in agreement with previous results in healthy individuals.

    “These behavioral patterns are in agreement with our previous results in healthy individuals [Assaf et al., 2009a;Jamadar et al., 2013].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Assaf et al., 2009a

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    • cites Jamadar et al., 2013

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    The 45 components were classified into 14 functional Stanford networks using spatial sorting in GIFT.

    “We then used the spatial sorting feature within GIFT, to classify our 45 components into these 14 functional Stanford networks.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    All participants provided written informed consent, as approved by the Institutional Review Board of Hartford Hospital.

    “All participants provided written informed consent, as approved by Institutional Review Board of Hartford Hospital, after the study had been fully explained to them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    From this classification, 17 ICNs not the focus of the study (Basal Ganglia, Auditory, Higher or Primary Visual, or Sensorimotor networks) were excluded, leaving 28 ICNs.

    “From this classification, we determined the networks that were not the focus of this study, specifically the Basal Ganglia, Auditory, Higher or Primary Visual, or Sensorimotor networks, and excluded these 17 ICNs from our final analysis, leaving 28 ICNs (Table I).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Network recruitment was modulated by Domino mentalizing events in only five of 10 subnetworks identified as DMN-related, demonstrating a differentiation of DMN regions based on the cognitive processes in which they are involved.

    “Due to splitting of the DMN into smaller component networks, we found that network recruitment was modulated by Domino mentalizing events (i.e., the event contrast show > no-show) in only five of 10 subnetworks we identified as DMN-related, demonstrating a differentiation of DMN regions based on the cognitive processes in which they are involved.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Earlier studies using low-order sICA (<= 30 components) typically encompassed the DMN (excluding temporal poles) by only two to three ICNs, or in some cases by only a single ICN.

    “This contrasts with earlier studies of resting state fMRI using low-order sICA (<= 30 components) where the DMN (excluding the temporal poles) was typically encompassed by only two to three ICNs [Assaf et al., 2010;Calhoun et al., 2008], or in some cases, by only a single ICN [Franco et al., 2009;Meindl et al., 2010;Patel et al., 2013].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Assaf et al., 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Calhoun et al., 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Franco et al., 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). The quote only partly states this claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    In separate follow-up analyses, study participants' age and gender were added as covariates to the 2x2 ANOVA (Domino task) and paired t-tests (SORT).

    “In separate follow-up analyses, study participants' age and gender were added as covariates to the 2 3 2 ANOVA (Domino task) and paired t-tests (SORT).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The findings confirm prior work on support for mentalizing processes within the DMN and on the involvement, although limited, of semantic memory recall within the DMN.

    “The findings in our study confirm prior work not only on support for mentalizing processes within the DMN [Assaf et al., 2009b;Li et al., 2014;Mars et al., 2012a] but also the involvement, although limited, of semantic memory recall within the DMN [Binder et al., 2009;Shapira-Lichter et al., 2013;Wirth et al., 2011].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Assaf et al., 2009b

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Li et al., 2014

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Mars et al., 2012a

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    No significant effect of age or gender on the results was found when they were covaried.

    “For all data presented, we performed a separate analysis where we covaried for age and gender, but found no significant effect of either age or gender on our results.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    High-order sICA results in increased functional neuroanatomical precision and stabilization of subsequent back reconstruction, but at the expense of reduced repeatability.

    “Importantly, we performed a relatively high-order sICA, which has been used increasingly in recent imaging studies [Allen et al., 2011] and has been shown to result in increased functional neuroanatomical precision stabilization of subsequent back reconstruction [Erhardt et al., 2011] (but at the expense of reduced repeatability [Abou-Elseoud et al., 2010]).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Allen et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Erhardt et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Abou-Elseoud et al., 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    In both dmPFC subnetworks (IC 64 and IC 46), SORT retrieval and non-retrieval events showed opposing modulation of network recruitment, suggesting these subnetworks uniquely support mentalizing.

    “In both of these DM subnetworks, SORT retrieval and non-retrieval events showed opposing modulation of network recruitment, suggesting these subnetworks uniquely support mentalizing.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study fully complied with the Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki).

    “This study fully complied with the Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A final visual selection was necessary because a small number of components that are clearly not artifacts will, on occasion, have low fALFF and/or DR values, and conversely, some small number of components that are clearly artifacts will have paradoxically high fALFF and/or DR values.

    “A final visual selection was necessary because a small number of components that are clearly not artifacts will, on occasion, have low fALFF and/or DR values, and, conversely, some small number of components that are clearly artifacts (e.g., are located primarily in CSF or white matter) will have paradoxically high fALFF and/or DR values [Allen et al., 2011].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Allen et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationcitation

    The increased BOLD signal in the show vs. no-show events in the DMN is due to processes related to mentalizing, such as trying to deduce the opponent's strategy.

    “The increased BOLD signal in the show vs. no-show events in the DMN was posited to be due to processes related to mentalizing (e.g., trying to deduce the opponent's strategy) [Assaf et al., 2009b] as the former events required the scanned participant to understand how the opponent might use the new information about his/her play (i.e., playing fair or bluffing) to adjust his/her strategy.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Assaf et al., 2009b

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Resting state fMRI scans for 10 of the 53 subjects were acquired on a different date, with five acquired more than one-half year earlier than the Domino/SORT scans.

    “Another limitation was that resting state fMRI scans for 10 of the n 5 53 subjects were acquired on a different date, where five of them were acquired more than one-half year earlier than the Domino/SORT scans (note that for all subjects, SORT and Domino task data were acquired during the same scanning session).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Resting state and Domino/SORT used different fMRI repetition times (TR = 1500 msec vs. TR = 1860 msec), which prompted a separate sICA for the resting state data.

    “Our study limitations include the use of a different fMRI repetition time for resting state (TR 5 1500 msec) versus Domino/SORT (TR 5 1860 msec) which prompted us to perform a separate sICA for the resting state data.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    An additional two subnetworks in the left TPJ (IC 55) and in the PCC (IC 18, the DMN hub) appear to support not only mentalizing, but semantic memory retrieval as well.

    “An additional two subnetworks in the left TPJ (IC 55) and in the PCC (IC 18, the DMN”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Domino task events engage mentalizing processes and SORT events engage semantic memory retrieval.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    In subnetwork IC 55 (left TPJ), SORT retrieval events resulted in increased network recruitment, indicating this subnetwork is not unique to mentalizing, but also supports semantic memory retrieval.

    “In subnetwork IC 55 (left TPJ), SORT retrieval events resulted in increased network recruitment, indicating this subnetwork is not unique to mentalizing, but also supports semantic memory retrieval.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Jack et al. found that the dmPFC, right TPJ, and posterior cingulate/precuneus were the three regions most strongly activated by the social>physical task contrast.

    “in which the dmPFC, right TPJ, and posterior cingulate/precuneus were the three regions most strongly activated by the social>physical task contrast [Jack et al., 2013]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Jack et al., 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Network recruitment in the DMN is negatively modulated by many tasks, such as the SORT, and positively modulated by tasks that involve mentalizing, such as the Domino task.

    “while network recruitment in the DMN is negatively modulated by many tasks, such as the SORT, it is positively modulated by tasks that involve mentalizing, such as the Domino task.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Domino task events engage mentalizing processes and SORT events engage semantic memory retrieval.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Certain DM subnetworks are not task-negative, but instead uniquely engage in mentalizing during a social task.

    “In conclusion, our study shows that certain DM subnetworks are not task-negative, but instead uniquely engage in mentalizing during a social task.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Domino task events engage mentalizing processes and SORT events engage semantic memory retrieval.
57 of 57

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The SORT does not invoke social cognition or mentalizing.

    “The SORT, unlike the physical task used in the previously described study [Jack et al., 2013], probes semantic associative processing, and according to recent studies might involve the DMN [Binder et al., 2009;Shapira-Lichter et al., 2013;Wirth et al., 2011], but does not invoke social cognition or mentalizing.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The SORT retrieval > non-retrieval contrast indexes semantic memory retrieval.

    “As depicted in Figure 4, panels B and C, for PCC/PrC (IC 18) and Left TPJ (IC 55), the SORT retrieval event showed positive modulation of network recruitment, therefore suggesting these two DM subnetworks were not unique to mentalizing, but also support semantic memory retrieval and/or language processing.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Domino task events engage mentalizing processes and SORT events engage semantic memory retrieval.

    “opposing network recruitment by Domino and SORT task events, suggesting that they are unique to mentalizing compared with semantic memory processes”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • The precuneus and posterior cingulate cortices are thought to support mentalizing processes, facilitating an individual's ability to comprehend or interpret other people's thoughts, feelings and intentions.

    “The precuneus and posterior cingulate cortices, dominant hubs of the default mode network, are thought to support mentalizing processes, facilitating an individual’s ability to comprehend or interpret other people’s thoughts, feelings and intentions (Beer and Hughes, 2010; Frith and Frith, 2003; Hyatt et al., 2015).”

    From Neural correlates of social exclusion across ages: A coordinate-based meta-analysis of functional MRI studies (2017) · cites this paper as Hyatt et al., 2015

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Conflicting accounts of whether the two tasks were scanned on the same day

    Major

    The imaging methods say Domino and SORT were not always acquired on the same day, but the same section says they were performed on the same date for every subject.

  • SORT vmPFC contrast does not match its event means

    Minor

    For IC 57, retrieval and non-retrieval recruitment are reported as −0.407 and −0.663. Their difference is 0.256, not the reported retrieval > non-retrieval value of 0.691.

    Reported 0.691 · recomputed 0.256

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. First, 2002, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders, Research Version, Patient Edition With Psychotic Screen (SCID-I/P W/PSY SCREEN)

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Hyatt, C. J., Calhoun, V. D., Pearlson, G. D., & Assaf, M.
Affiliations
  • Hartford Hospital (US)
  • Mind Research Network (US)
Corresponding author
Hyatt, Christopher J.
ORCID
Venue
Human Brain Mapping
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2015-05-06
Volume
36
Issue
8
Pages
3047-3063
ISSN
1065-9471 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1002/hbm.22827
PMC
PMC6869394
OpenAlex
W1959614677
Semantic Scholar
348e4845885ae6c478b1abc23c424614bfc42073
Cited by
65
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 1
FWCI
3.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 118 d)
Locations
  • Human Brain Mapping (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (MHRO143375, MH075853, P20GM103472)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Mind wandering and attention
Keywords
default mode network, mentalization, theory of mind, spatial independent component analysis, semantic memory, medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, temporoparietal junction, resting-state fMRI, task-related brain activation
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Association Learning, Brain, Brain Mapping, Female, Games, Experimental, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Memory, Middle Aged, Neural Pathways, Neuropsychological Tests, Rest, Semantics, Social Behavior, Thinking, Young Adult

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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