Cited by 2,143Memory Processes and InfluencesMemory and Neural MechanismsCognitive Functions and Memory

The common neural basis of autobiographical memory, prospection, navigation, theory of mind, and the default mode: a quantitative meta-analysis

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Spreng, R. Nathan, Mar, Raymond A., Kim, Alice S. N.·2009·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience

Abstract

A core brain network has been proposed to underlie a number of different processes, including remembering, prospection, navigation, and theory of mind [Buckner, R. L., & Carroll, D. C. Self-projection and the brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 11, 49–57, 2007]. This purported network—medial prefrontal, medial-temporal, and medial and lateral parietal regions—is similar to that observed during default-mode processing and has been argued to represent self-projection [Buckner, R. L., & Carroll, D. C. Self-projection and the brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 11, 49–57, 2007] or scene-construction [Hassabis, D., & Maguire, E. A. Deconstructing episodic memory with construction. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 11, 299–306, 2007]. To date, no systematic and quantitative demonstration of evidence for this common network has been presented. Using the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) approach, we conducted four separate quantitative meta-analyses of neuroimaging studies on: (a) autobiographical memory, (b) navigation, (c) theory of mind, and (d) default mode. A conjunction analysis between these domains demonstrated a high degree of correspondence. We compared these findings to a separate ALE analysis of prospection studies and found additional correspondence. Across all domains, and consistent with the proposed network, correspondence was found within the medial-temporal lobe, precuneus, posterior cingulate, retrosplenial cortex, and the temporo-parietal junction. Additionally, this study revealed that the core network extends to lateral prefrontal and occipital cortices. Autobiographical memory, prospection, theory of mind, and default mode demonstrated further reliable involvement of the medial prefrontal cortex and lateral temporal cortices. Autobiographical memory and theory of mind, previously studied as distinct, exhibited extensive functional overlap. These findings represent quantitative evidence for a core network underlying a variety of cognitive domains.

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Crossref · 10.1162/jocn.2008.21029

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  • The DMN is implicated in a broad range of tasks probing social cognition and communication, with consistent activation patterns reported in the PCC, mPFC, AG, and adjoining temporal parietal junction.

    “Consistent with this perspective, the DMN is implicated in a broad range of tasks probing social cognition and communication, with consistent activation patterns reported in the PCC, mPFC, AG, and adjoining temporal parietal junction. 42,43”

    From 20 years of the default mode network: A review and synthesis. (2023) · cites this paper as [43]

    The Medial Parietal Regions, Medial Prefrontal Cortex, and Temporo-parietal Junction and Occipital Lobe sections (pages unavailable) report overlapping activity in the PCC, mPFC, and TPJ across the studied domains, including theory of mind. The paper does not establish consistent activation across a broad range of communication tasks; the Discussion raises narrative processing only as a possible additional domain. It also does not separately identify the angular gyrus as a consistent activation site. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The DMN is critical to negative self-referential processing such as rumination and worrying known to go awry in depression.

    “The DMN includes medial cortical structures, such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex, and it is critical to negative self-referential processing such as rumination and worrying known to go awry in depression (35–38).”

    From Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel RDoC-based treatment program for adolescent depression: "Training for Awareness Resilience and Action" (TARA)-A pilot study (2017) · cites this paper as [35]

    The Default Mode section links the network to internally directed thought, and the Discussion says self-related processes are likely involved in default-mode processing. Neither passage establishes that the DMN is critical to negative self-referential processing, specifically rumination or worrying, or links those processes to depression (pages unavailable in our copy). (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The DMN plays a crucial role in episodic memory operations, particularly those related to personally relevant details of remembered experiences.

    “The DMN plays a crucial role in episodic memory operations, particularly those related to personally relevant details of remembered experiences.”

    From 20 years of the default mode network: A review and synthesis. (2023) · cites this paper as [43]

    The Discussion reports that autobiographical memory engages regions of the default-mode network and associates self-related processing with personal detail during recollection. The Autobiographical Memory section describes episodic recall of personal experiences. However, the Discussion explicitly cautions that overlap in brain activity does not establish a causal role, so the claim that the DMN plays a ‘crucial role’ is stronger than the paper supports. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • ToM, autobiographical memory and resting-state cognition draw on a shared 'core' network including mPFC, precuneus, posterior cingulate and TPJ.

    “ToM, autobiographical memory and resting-state cognition have been proposed to draw on a shared ‘core’ network including mPFC, precuneus, posterior cingulate and TPJ (Spreng et al., 2009).”

    From The brain's conversation with itself: neural substrates of dialogic inner speech (2016) · cites this paper as Spreng et al., 2009

  • The profound deficits in simulating future events exhibited by patients with semantic dementia, despite a relative preservation of past episodic memory, suggest that other forms of self-projection, such as theory of mind, empathy and moral reasoning, may also be compromised.

    “The profound deficits in simulating future events exhibited by patients with semantic dementia, despite a relative preservation of past episodic memory, suggest that other forms of self-projection, such as theory of mind, empathy and moral reasoning (Spreng et al., 2009), may also be compromised.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [115]115. Palmer, A. (2004). Fictional minds. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
  2. [125]125. Raichle, M. E., MacLeod, A. M., Snyder, A. Z., Powers, W. J., Gusnard, D. A., & Shulman, G. L. (2001). A default mode of brain function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 98, 676-682.

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Authors
Spreng, R. N., Mar, R. A., & Kim, A. S. N.
Affiliations
  • University of Toronto (CA)
  • York University (CA)
Venue
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
Publisher
MIT Press
Published
2009-03-01
Volume
21
Issue
3
Pages
489-510
ISSN
  • 0898-929X (ISSN-L)
  • 1530-8898
OpenAlex
W2144421443
Cited by
2,143
References
241
Citations by year
2026: 83 · 2025: 93 · 2024: 107 · 2023: 101 · 2022: 112 · 2021: 158 · 2020: 139 · 2019: 148 · 2018: 131 · 2017: 174 · 2016: 143 · 2015: 141 · 2014: 137 · 2013: 156 · 2012: 131
FWCI
31.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship@McGill (McGill) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords
autobiographical memory, prospection, navigation, theory of mind, default mode network, self-projection, scene construction, medial prefrontal cortex, medial temporal lobe, precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, retrosplenial cortex, temporoparietal junction, activation likelihood estimation
MeSH terms
Autobiographies as Topic, Brain, Brain Mapping, Diagnostic Imaging, Humans, Memory, Models, Psychological, Meta-Analysis as Topic

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