Schedule of Events | Symposia

Intrinsic fluctuations in global connectivity reflect transitions between states of high and low prediction error

Poster Session A - Saturday, March 29, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Paul C. Bogdan¹ (paulcbogdan@gmail.com), Shenyang Huang¹, Lifu Deng², Simon W. Davis¹, Roberto Cabeza¹; ¹Duke University, ²Cleveland Clinic

Some researchers claim all brain functions are linked to prediction error (PE) minimization. Others argue PE drives low-level computations but less so abstract and whole-brain cognitive operations. We investigated this topic, and specifically, whether even stimulus-free cognition – daydreaming during a resting-state scan – involves the omnipresent minimization of PE. We investigated this issue using a three-part design involving fMRI and EEG data. Study 1 used task-fMRI to establish templates of high-PE and low-PE global states. This was done using both semantic and reward PE tasks, which revealed that high-PE information broadly upregulates ventral-dorsal connectivity whereas low-PE information upregulates posterior-anterior connectivity. Study 2 used resting-state fMRI data collected from the same participants and showed that, even in the absence of stimuli, the brain continuously fluctuates between ventral-dorsal (high-PE) and posterior-anterior (low-PE) dynamic connectivity states. Additionally, individual differences in PE task responses track differences in resting-state fluctuations, suggesting that these fluctuations represent PE minimization at rest. Finally, Study 3 used combined fMRI-EEG to assess the temporal properties of these high/low-PE fluctuations and whether they occur at speeds that could index functions like redirecting attention, planning behavior, and updating working memory. Indeed, fMRI-EEG correlations suggest the resting-state ventral-dorsal and posterior-anterior PE networks specifically oscillate at 3-6 Hz. This whole-brain layout and timeline together speak to high/low-PE fluctuations playing a role in integrative, sub-second mental operations.

Topic Area: EXECUTIVE PROCESSES: Other