Frontoparietal network


The frontoparietal network, generally also known as the central executive network , is a large-scale brain network primarily composed of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex, around the intraparietal sulcus. It is involved in sustained attention, complex problem-solving and working memory.
The FPN is one of three networks in the so-called triple-network model, along with the salience network and the default mode network. The salience network facilitates switching between the FPN and DMN.

Anatomy

The FPN is primarily composed of the rostral lateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the anterior inferior parietal lobule. Additional regions include the middle cingulate gyrus and potentially the dorsal precuneus, posterior inferior temporal lobe, dorsomedial thalamus and the head of the caudate nucleus.

Function

The FPN is involved in executive function and goal-oriented, cognitively demanding tasks. It is crucial for rule-based problem solving, actively maintaining and manipulating information in working memory and making decisions in the context of goal-directed behaviour.

Clinical significance

Disruption of the nodes of the FPN has been found in virtually every psychiatric and neurological disorder, from autism, schizophrenia and depression to frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Nomenclature

The term central executive network is generally equivalent to the frontoparietal network in literature, distinguishing it from the dorsal attention network, with which it has several similarities, though sometimes it has been used to include the DAN.
The FPN has fewer similarities with the salience network. Regardless, it has sometimes been grouped together with either the DAN or the salience network under the name executive control network. The term frontoparietal control network has also been used, generally also for a grouping of the FPN and the salience network.
Other names for the FPN have included the multiple-demand system, extrinsic mode network, domain-general system and cognitive control network.
In 2019, Uddin et al. proposed that lateral frontoparietal network be used as a standard name for this network.