Salience Network

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The salience network, one of several highly interconnected brain networks, includes the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and connects to the amygdala, hypothalamus, and thalamus. It identifies salient stimuli that are biologically and cognitively relevant to switch attention from different brain networks and from internal to external focus. It’s involved with cognitive/emotional processes like attention, resource allocation, motivation, and conflict monitoring. When not functioning properly, it can cause challenges with social cues and external awareness, affecting ADHD, autism, psychosis, and dementia. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may damage the salience network and cause trouble switching between networks.