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Review
. 2012 Jun;16(6):330-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2012.05.001. Epub 2012 May 19.

Neural correlates of establishing, maintaining, and switching brain states

Yi-Yuan Tang  1 , Mary K Rothbart, Michael I Posner
Affiliations
Review

Neural correlates of establishing, maintaining, and switching brain states

Yi-Yuan Tang et al. Trends Cogn Sci. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

Although the study of brain states is an old one in neuroscience, there has been growing interest in brain state specification owing to MRI studies tracing brain connectivity at rest. In this review, we summarize recent research on three relatively well-described brain states: the resting, alert, and meditation states. We explore the neural correlates of maintaining a state or switching between states, and argue that the anterior cingulate cortex and striatum play a critical role in state maintenance, whereas the insula has a major role in switching between states. Brain state may serve as a predictor of performance in a variety of perceptual, memory, and problem solving tasks. Thus, understanding brain states is critical for understanding human performance.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Three stages of meditation. Different stages of meditation, including early, middle (intermediate) and advanced, involve different amounts of effort.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The IAS hypothesis. Key neural correlates of changing brain states include the insula, ACC, and striatum (IAS). The ACC is involved in maintaining a state by reducing conflict with other states; the insula serves a primary role in switching between states; the striatum is linked to the reward experience and formation of habits required to make state maintenance easier.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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