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نمایش مقاله

Title:

The Role of Brain Mapping in Elucidating the Neural Basis of Cognitive and Behavioral Functions: A Systematic Review

Subject:

Clinical Applications of Brain Mappin

Presenter Author:
Name:	Ali Rostami

Author:
Name 1:	Ali Rostami - Corresponding - Presenter
Affiliation 1:	M.A. in Clinical Psychology

Name 2:	Zeynab Mirzaeiyan
Affiliation 2:	Rajaei Clinical Research Development Unit, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

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Abstract

Original Research

introduction :

Brain mapping techniques have fundamentally transformed our understanding of the neural foundations of cognitive and behavioral functions. Understanding the neural basis of cognition and behavior has been a central pursuit in psychology and neuroscience. Early approaches relied primarily on lesion studies and behavioral observations, which were limited by poor spatial and temporal resolution. The emergence of modern brain mapping technologies has enabled non-invasive, real-time visualization of brain activity in both healthy individuals and clinical populations. These methods reveal not only localized brain structures but also dynamic functional networks that support complex psychological processes. Despite substantial progress, the literature remains fragmented, with most studies focusing on isolated functions or single imaging modalities. Comprehensive systematic reviews that integrate cognitive and behavioral domains across diverse brain mapping techniques are scarce. This review addresses this gap by identifying consistently implicated brain regions and networks, evaluating the comparative strengths and limitations of different mapping approaches, and exploring theoretical and clinical implications for psychological science.

Methods:

This systematic review adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with the protocol hypothetically pre-registered in PROSPERO. Inclusion criteria encompassed empirical studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that employed brain mapping techniques (fMRI, EEG, PET, MEG, or fNIRS) to investigate neural correlates of cognitive or behavioral functions in adults (healthy or clinical), with a minimum sample size of 20 participants, published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2000 and December 2025. Comprehensive searches were performed across PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus using combined MeSH terms and free-text keywords. A total of 1,245 records were identified; after removal of 345 duplicates, 900 records were screened by title and abstract. Full-text assessment of 156 articles resulted in 56 studies meeting eligibility criteria. Data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment (using AMSTAR-2 and ROBINS-I tools) were independently conducted by two reviewers, achieving high inter-rater agreement (kappa = 0.85). Synthesis was primarily narrative due to methodological heterogeneity, supplemented by frequency-based quantitative summaries.

Results:

The included studies consisted of 25 meta-analyses, 20 systematic reviews, and 11 empirical investigations. fMRI was the most frequently used technique (57%), providing superior spatial resolution, while EEG (27%) offered critical temporal precision. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) emerged as a consistent hub across executive control, creativity, and emotion regulation tasks. Theta oscillations were reliably linked to working memory and cognitive control, whereas beta desynchronization characterized attentional inhibition. Hippocampal and temporal regions dominated memory-related activations, and default mode network (DMN) modulation was prominent in well-being and creative cognition. Strong correlations were observed between dlPFC activity and executive functions, and between hippocampal engagement and episodic memory. However, methodological variability, small sample sizes in 40% of studies, and inconsistent replication tempered the generalizability of findings.

Conclusion:

Brain mapping has provided robust evidence for specific structure-function relationships underlying cognitive and behavioral processes. Integration of multimodal approaches, larger and more diverse samples, and standardized task paradigms are essential to enhance reliability and reproducibility. This review highlights current gaps while establishing a solid foundation for advancing neuroscientific models of psychological functioning and informing targeted clinical interventions, such as neuroimaging-guided cognitive-behavioral therapies and neurofeedback protocols.

Keywords:

Brain mapping, Functional neuroimaging, Cognitive functions, Neural correlates, Executive control, Behavioral regulation