Gradual Loss of Social Group Support during Competition Activates Anterior TPJ and Insula but Deactivates Default Mode Network

• Published in: Brain sciences Vol. 13; no. 11; p. 1509
• Main Authors: Ozkul, Burcu, Candemir, Cemre, Oguz, Kaya, Eroglu-Koc, Seda, Kizilates-Evin, Gozde, Ugurlu, Onur, Erdogan, Yigit, Mull, Defne Dakota, Eker, Mehmet Cagdas, Kitis, Omer, Gonul, Ali Saffet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 25.10.2023
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Brain; Cognitive ability; default mode network; Neurophysiology; Ostracism; salience network; Self esteem; Self image; social group; Social norms; Social support; social support; social group; default mode network; salience network
• ISSN: 2076-3425; 2076-3425
• DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111509

Group forming behaviors are common in many species to overcome environmental challenges. In humans, bonding, trust, group norms, and a shared past increase consolidation of social groups. Being a part of a social group increases resilience to mental stress; conversely, its loss increases vulnerability to depression. However, our knowledge on how social group support affects brain functions is limited. This study observed that default mode network (DMN) activity reduced with the loss of social group support from real-life friends in a challenging social competition. The loss of support induced anterior temporoparietal activity followed by anterior insula and the dorsal attentional network activity. Being a part of a social group and having support provides an environment for high cognitive functioning of the DMN, while the loss of group support acts as a threat signal and activates the anterior temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and insula regions of salience and attentional networks for individual survival.