Researchers at MIT’s McGovern Institute and colleagues have produced what they claim to be the first comprehensive brain map indicating the function of each of 24 distinct regional networks in the cerebral cortex.
The group carried out functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on 176 people as they watched a variety of film clips, then applied machine-learning algorithms to identify the functions of the various networks.
Findings revealed networks for processing sensory information, actions, language and social interactions, along with a prefrontal cortex network responsive exclusively to visual scenes, among others.
The team hopes that this first reference map can serve as a baseline for more detailed investigations into the precise functions – and interactions – among the various networks.