About

The salience network (SN), also known anatomically as the midcingulate-insular network (M-CIN) is a large-scale network within the human brain primarily composed of the anterior insula (AI) and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC).

The AI and dACC are brain regions that integrate information to guide human behaviour.

Functions

The salience network detects and filters the salient stimuli to guide attention and regulate emotional responses.

It also processes pain, emotion, reward, and motivation.

How does it work?

It moderates switching between the default mode network (DMN) and the central executive network (CEN).

The DMN and CEN are two of the brain's main control networks, and they work in opposition to each other. That is:

• DMN is active when the brain is at rest or awake and daydreaming. 
• CEN is active when the brain is processing information externally or during cognitively and emotionally challenging tasks.

The DMN and CEN form a part of the brain's triple network model along with the salience network. 

These three interact with each other and an imbalance in their activity is linked to mental health disorders in humans.

Correlations with Mental health

Network strength 

The strength of the salience network is linked to depression-related symptoms.

The loss of pleasure and motivation and the impact on mental health are the outcome of the decline in its strength.

Network Expansion

The network also encroaches into regions which are typically not associated with it.

Its encroachment in areas related to decision-making leads to a deficit in motivation and depression.

Significance

As the network consistently enlarges in depressed individuals, the network may serve as a potential biomarker for depression. 

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the “Salience network (SN)” recently seen in the news: 

1. They are networks in the human brain that integrate information to guide human behaviour.
2. It processes pain, emotion, reward, and motivation.
3. It forms a part of the brain's triple network model linked to mental health disorders in humans.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C. All Three

D.None

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: 

The salience network (SN), also known anatomically as the midcingulo-insular network (M-CIN) is a large scale network within the human brain primarily composed of the anterior insula (AI) and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC).

The AI and dACC are brain regions that integrate information to guide human behavior.

Statement 2 is correct: 

The salience network detects and filters the salient stimuli to guide attention, and regulate emotional responses.

It also processes pain, emotion, reward, and motivation.

Statement 3 is correct: 

It moderates switching between the default mode network (DMN) and central executive network (CEN).

The DMN and CEN are two of the brain's main control networks, and they work in opposition to each other. That is:

• DMN is active when the brain is at rest or awake and daydreaming. 
• CEN is active when the brain is processing information externally or during cognitively and emotionally challenging tasks.

The DMN and CEN forms a part of the brain's triple network model along with the salience network. These three interact with each other and an imbalance in their activity is linked to mental health disorders in humans.