The Frontoparietal Network (FPN), also known as the Central Executive Network, is a large-scale brain system that guides human behavior. It acts as a conductor, directing and coordinating activity across various brain regions to accomplish goal-directed tasks. The FPN is fundamental to executive function, which includes the mental skills used for planning, focusing attention, and juggling multiple tasks simultaneously. This dynamic system allows the brain to quickly adapt its processing resources in response to changing cognitive demands.
Where the Frontoparietal Network is Located
The FPN is a distributed network of highly connected regions spanning the frontal and parietal lobes. The frontal component involves the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), located toward the front and side of the brain. The parietal component consists mainly of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), situated in the upper, rear portion around the intraparietal sulcus. These two distant areas are intensely linked via long-range white matter tracts, which are high-speed communication cables made of insulated nerve fibers. This configuration allows the network to function as a powerful communication hub, integrating information to translate high-level planning into appropriate actions.
The FPN Role in Cognitive Control and Decision Making
The primary function of the FPN is to provide cognitive control, the mental ability to override automatic impulses and engage in deliberate, thoughtful behavior. This control is actively engaged during problem-solving and any cognitively demanding task that requires focused effort. A core function of the network is working memory, which is the temporary holding and manipulation of information needed to complete an ongoing task. It is also responsible for goal maintenance, ensuring that attention remains directed toward the desired outcome even when distractions are present. This network allows for cognitive flexibility, the skill that permits a rapid switch between different tasks or mental rules, such as a driver shifting focus from a conversation to a traffic hazard.
How the FPN Coordinates Brain Activity
The FPN is positioned as a flexible hub that mediates the activity between other major large-scale networks, particularly the Default Mode Network (DMN) and the Salience Network (SN). The DMN becomes active during internally focused states like mind-wandering, while the FPN is activated when the brain must engage with the external world and perform a specific task. The Salience Network acts as the brain’s internal monitoring system, detecting important external stimuli or internal body states that require attention. When the SN identifies something salient, it signals the FPN to take control, switching the brain from an internal focus (DMN) to an external, task-focused mode. The FPN then coordinates the necessary resources, activating regions required for the current task while simultaneously suppressing the activity of the DMN to minimize distraction.
When the FPN Malfunctions
Dysregulation within the Frontoparietal Network is implicated in several neurological and psychiatric conditions where cognitive control is impaired. When the FPN does not function optimally, the ability to maintain focus, inhibit inappropriate responses, and switch tasks effectively is compromised. This functional impairment is linked to difficulties in decision-making and goal-directed behavior. For example, conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) involve reduced functional connectivity within the FPN, which contributes to symptoms of inattention and impulsivity. Schizophrenia and certain forms of addiction also show aberrant activity patterns in the FPN.