Time-Evolving Dynamics in Brain Networks Forecast Responses to Health Messaging

• In Event: Brains, Bodies, and Health Communication

Abstract

Neuroimaging measures can forecast complex behaviors, including how individuals respond to persuasive communications. However, previous work has not tested how functional dynamics in brain networks relate to persuasion and behavior change. We scanned forty-five adult smokers using functional magnetic resonance imaging while they viewed antismoking images. We focused on regions within four brain networks and examined whether they formed consistent network communities during this task (measured as allegiance). Smokers who showed reduced allegiance among regions within the default mode and frontoparietal networks also demonstrated larger increases in their intentions to quit smoking one month later. We further examined dynamics of ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), where activation has been frequently related to behavior change. The degree to which VMPFC changed its community assignment over time was positively associated with smoking reduction. These data highlight the value in considering brain network dynamics for understanding message effectiveness and social processes more broadly.

Authors

• Nicole Cooper, University of Pennsylvania

• Garcia O Javier, US Army Research Laboratory

• Steven Tompson, U of Michigan

• Matthew Brook O'Donnell, U of Pennsylvania

• Emily Falk, U of Pennsylvania

• Jean M Vettel, US Army Research Laboratory