University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Network cerebrovascular health predicts cognitive control performance

Quan, Xiang

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129177

Description

Title
Network cerebrovascular health predicts cognitive control performance
Author(s)
Quan, Xiang
Issue Date
2025-03-24
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
  • Gratton, Gabriele
  • Fabiani, Monica
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Cerebrovascular health
  • networks, cognitive control
Abstract
Cerebrovascular health has emerged as a crucial factor in influencing cognitive control performance. Previously, most studies have relied on basic measures of cerebrovascular health due to the lack of precise regional estimates. This study utilizes a novel pulse-DOT method to provide detailed regional Pulse Relaxation Function (PReFx) measurements, offering valuable insights into regional vascular elasticity. For the first time, we integrate a network-based approach from fMRI studies to cerebrovascular health research, as the support provided by the cerebrovascular system to different brain networks may differentially impact cognitive control performance. To comprehensively assess how various mechanisms of cognitive control are influenced by network cerebrovascular health, we employed a task-switching paradigm that simultaneously accesses proactive and reactive control. Our findings reveal that larger positive deviations in PReFx for the Dorsal Attention Network and the Visual Network from global PReFx measures are linked to reduced cognitive control costs. Conversely, larger positive deviations in PReFx for the Default Mode Network and Fronto-Parietal Network from global PReFx measures are associated with increased cognitive control costs. These results indicate that the relative balance in cerebrovascular function across different brain networks impacts cognitive control, highlighting the value of studying network-based cerebrovascular status in understanding cognitive performance.
Graduation Semester
2025-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129177
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2025 Xiang Quan

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