Biology
Neuroanatomical Pathways Underlying the Default Mode Network
Quick fact
The default mode network was discovered by accident in the 1990s when neuroscientists noticed that certain brain regions consistently decreased their activity during a task and increased it during rest. Its anatomical backbone includes the cingulum bundle, a major white matter pathway that connects the posterior cingulate cortex to the medial prefrontal cortex.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever wondered why your brain feels busy even when you're doing nothing? The answer lies in a hidden network that lights up precisely when you're not paying attention to the world around you.