What are the 7 functional networks?

The 7 Functional Networks of the Brain

Our brain is a complex web of interconnected regions, each contributing to different aspects of thought, perception, and behavior. Researchers have identified seven main functional networks—distinct clusters of brain areas that work together to support specific cognitive tasks. These networks, first systematically mapped by Yeo and colleagues, offer a powerful framework for understanding how the brain organizes itself during both rest and activity.

One of the most intuitive is the somatomotor network (SMN), responsible for processing movement and bodily sensation. Closely tied to attention are the ventral attention network (VAN) and dorsal attention network (DAN), which guide how we respond to unexpected stimuli and maintain focus, respectively. Then there's the visual network (VN), handling everything we see—from shapes and colors to motion and depth.

The frontoparietal network (FPN) acts like the brain’s executive manager, supporting decision-making, problem-solving, and cognitive control. Meanwhile, the default mode network (DMN) becomes active when we're not focused on the outside world—during daydreaming, remembering, or thinking about others. It's often described as the seat of self-referential thought.

Finally, the subcortical network (SC) includes deeper brain structures involved in arousal, emotion, and basic physiological functions. Though small in volume, it plays an outsize role in motivation and survival-related behaviors.

Together, these seven networks—SMN, VAN, DAN, VN, FPN, DMN, and SC—form a dynamic architecture that allows the brain to switch seamlessly between tasks, adapt to new information, and maintain a sense of continuity in thought and action. Understanding them helps unravel how we think, feel, and interact with the world around us.