Fig. 1: Schematics of the three predictions underpinning MPH-mediated cognitive enhancement.
From: Methylphenidate modulates interactions of anxiety with cognition
A MPH-driven increase in the dissociation between the engagement of the FPCN and DMN as reflected by (i) stronger activation of fronto-parietal control network (FPCN) regions (task-positive network), which favors cognitive performance and (ii) steeper deactivation of default mode network (DMN) regions (task-negative network), which prevents interference from irrelevant stimuli such as anxiety-related signals. B MPH-driven redistribution of cognitive resources as indicated by lower resource allocation to the FPCN regions (weaker activation), which evidences greater efficiency of the executive control system. Consequently, more resources are available to process and inhibit anxiety, which might be further reflected by increased activation of the DMN regions. C MPH-driven expansion of overall resources as reflected by stronger activation of both the FPCN regions (i.e., better cognitive performance and inhibition of interference from non-relevant stimuli) and the DMN regions (i.e., processing of anxiety without interfering with cognitive performance).
