Another functional network, and one of the most prominent sets of regions to be examined with rs-fcMRI, is the “default mode network”. The default mode network (frequently described as being composed of the bilateral posterior cingulate/precuneus, inferior parietal cortex, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex) was first characterized by a consistent decrease in activity during goal-directed tasks compared to baseline [38],[39]. Resting-state fcMRI analyses have repeatedly shown that these regions, along with associated medial temporal regions, are correlated at rest in adults [15],[16],[32],[40]. While the distinct function of the default mode network is often linked to internally directed mental activity [39], this notion continues to be debated [25], [32], [41]–[44].
