Network cerebrovascular health predicts cognitive control performance

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Quan, Xiang

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gratton, Gabriele
• Fabiani, Monica

• Cerebrovascular health
• networks, cognitive control

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Xiang Quan

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

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

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F129177