Multiple Neural Networks Involved in Chewing Gum: A Functional MRI Study Using Group-ICA

摘要

Mastication is an essential physiological function of the human neural system. Previous studies using univariate approach have found significant increases associated with chewing in the BOLD signal in the widespread brain regions. However, mechanism of functional organization across these regions and any relationship to cognitive processing are not clear at present. In this paper, we hypothesized that there exist multiple functional networks underpinning a chewing gum task, these networks being engaged in different brain function, such as sensorimotor and cognition. We used group independent component analysis (Group-ICA) to separate these networks based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquired during a chew-gum block task. Our results demonstrated that three significant neural networks identified by independent components (ICs), corresponding to sensorimotor, cognitive and emotional, and syntax function, involved in the chewing gum task. This study also provides further evidence for the hypothesis that there exist neural circuits associated with higher cognitive information processing in chewing-gum movement.