Cited by 427Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesNeural dynamics and brain functionComplex Network Analysis Techniques

Cognitive effort drives workspace configuration of human brain functional networks

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Kitzbichler, Manfred G., Henson, Richard N. A., Smith, Marie L., Nathan, Pradeep J., Bullmore, Edward T.·2011·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Effortful cognitive performance is theoretically expected to depend on the formation of a global neuronal workspace. We tested specific predictions of workspace theory, using graph theoretical measures of network topology and physical distance of synchronization, in magnetoencephalographic data recorded from healthy adult volunteers ( N = 13) during performance of a working memory task at several levels of difficulty. We found that greater cognitive effort caused emergence of a more globally efficient, less clustered, and less modular network configuration, with more long-distance synchronization between brain regions. This pattern of task-related workspace configuration was more salient in the β-band (16–32 Hz) and γ-band (32–63 Hz) networks, compared with both lower (α-band; 8–16 Hz) and higher (high γ-band; 63–125 Hz) frequency intervals. Workspace configuration of β-band networks was also greater in faster performing participants (with correct response latency less than the sample median) compared with slower performing participants. Processes of workspace formation and relaxation in relation to time-varying demands for cognitive effort could be visualized occurring in the course of task trials lasting <2 s. These experimental results provide support for workspace theory in terms of complex network metrics and directly demonstrate how cognitive effort breaks modularity to make human brain functional networks transiently adopt a more efficient but less economical configuration.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.0440-11.2011

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  • In healthy young adults, higher global efficiency in structural and functional networks is associated with better IQ, attention, and working memory.

    “Greater global efficiency in structural and functional networks has been linked to higher IQ, attentional capacity, and working memory in healthy young adults (Cohen and D’Esposito, 2016; Kitzbichler et al., 2011; Li et al., 2009; Stanley et al., 2015; van den Heuvel et al., 2009)”

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  1. Sporns O (2010) Networks of the brain. Cambridge: MIT.

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Authors
Kitzbichler, M. G., Henson, R. N. A., Smith, M. L., Nathan, P. J., & Bullmore, E. T.
Affiliations
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
  • MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (GB)
  • GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom) (GB)
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2011-06-01
Volume
31
Issue
22
Pages
8259-8270
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W1999174202
Cited by
427
References
67
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 51 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 42 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 14
FWCI
11.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BIROn (Birkbeck, University of London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Complex Network Analysis Techniques
Keywords
global neuronal workspace theory, cognitive effort, functional brain networks, network topology, network modularity, beta oscillations, gamma oscillations, response latency, network efficiency
MeSH terms
Adult, Cognition, Female, Humans, Memory, Short-Term, Nerve Net, Psychological Theory, Psychomotor Performance, Magnetoencephalography, Brain Waves

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