The dynamic modular fingerprints of the human brain at rest

Neuroimage. 2021 Feb 15:227:117674. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117674. Epub 2020 Dec 29.

Abstract

The human brain is a dynamic modular network that can be decomposed into a set of modules, and its activity changes continually over time. At rest, several brain networks, known as Resting-State Networks (RSNs), emerge and cross-communicate even at sub-second temporal scale. Here, we seek to decipher the fast reshaping in spontaneous brain modularity and its relationships with RSNs. We use Electro/Magneto-Encephalography (EEG/MEG) to track the dynamics of modular brain networks, in three independent datasets (N = 568) of healthy subjects at rest. We show the presence of strikingly consistent RSNs, and a splitting phenomenon of some of these networks, especially the default mode network, visual, temporal and dorsal attentional networks. We also demonstrate that between-subjects variability in mental imagery is associated with the temporal characteristics of specific modules, particularly the visual network. Taken together, our findings show that large-scale electrophysiological networks have modularity-dependent dynamic fingerprints at rest.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Connectome / methods
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography / methods
  • Male
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Rest / physiology*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted