The Default Mode Network and Emotion – Dual Roles of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in Emotional Experience and Regulation

Recent advances have transformed our understanding of the neural basis of emotion from localized to distributed network-level processes, with emerging evidence indicating a central role of the default mode network (DMN), particularly medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The mPFC exhibits a functional gradient along its dorsal-ventral axis: dorsal regions primarily engage in negative emotional experiences, while ventral subdivisions facilitate positive (safety) experiences and show a distinctive duality - representing emotions abstractly while generating individualized interpretations of experiences. During emotion regulation, the dorsal mPFC (dmPFC) supports explicit-control strategies like reappraisal, while the ventral mPFC (vmPFC) mediates implicit-automatic regulation through extinction learning. Through interactions with other DMN regions and broader brain networks, the mPFC enables the construction of nuanced, contextualized emotional experiences fundamental to adaptive behavior. Understanding these mechanisms may advance affective neuroscience and inform therapeutic approaches for mental disorders with DMN dysfunction.