Autonomic Function Regulates the Default-Mode Network in Rats

The default mode network (DMN) is central to cognition. Consistent across species, functional connectivity (FC) of DMN exhibits partly similar patterns across brain states, including wakefulness, sleep, sedated or anesthetized states. Regions in DMN are also involved in regulating visceral organs. It is likely that DMN facilitates visceral physiology to maintain homeostasis in states of unconsciousness. However, the evidence for the association between autonomic function and DMN is sparse and piecemeal. Here, we use fMRI in rat models to investigate how vagal nerve de-innervation and stimulation affect the DMN and its interaction with other regions related to autonomic function.