The right inferior frontal gyrus as pivotal node and effective regulator of the basal ganglia-thalamocortical response inhibition circuit

Abstract Background The involvement of specific basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits in response inhibition has been extensively mapped animal models. However, the pivotal nodes and directed casual regulation within this inhibitory circuit humans remains controversial. Methods Here, we capitalize on recent progress robust biologically plausible causal modelling (DCM-PEB) a large dataset (n=250) acquired with concomitant functional fMRI to determine key nodes, their modulation via biological variables (sex) performance encompassing right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG), caudate nucleus (rCau), globus pallidum (rGP) thalamus (rThal). Results entire neural exhibited high intrinsic connectivity critically increased projections from rIFG both rCau rThal. Direct comparison further demonstrated that induced an increasing inflow region over In addition, sex influenced architecture regulatory such women displayed rThal self-inhibition decreased GP modulation, while better was associated stronger communication. Furthermore, control analyses did not reveal similar communication left lateralized model. Conclusions Together these findings indicate role as input regulator subcortical nodes.