论文标题
小脑网络中动态功能连通性的微小变化
Small variation in dynamic functional connectivity in cerebellar networks
论文作者
论文摘要
大脑网络可以通过其连接性来定义和探索。在这里,我们分析了覆盖整个大脑和大脑系统的2,514个区域之间的结构连通性(SC)及其动态功能连通性(DFC)之间的关系。为此,我们专注于两个指标的组合:第一个评估SC-DFC相似性的程度,第二个是随着时间的推移DFC网络的内在变异性。总体而言,我们发现小脑网络的DFC变异性比大脑中的其他网络较小。此外,小脑的内部结构可以清楚地分为两个不同的后部和前部,后者也与脑干有关。在小脑后部保持DFC较小的变异性的机制与我们的另一个发现一致,即,该结构与研究的其他网络相似。相比之下,小脑的前部也表现出较小的DFC变异性,但其SC-DFC相似性最低,这表明一种不同的机制正在发挥作用。由于这种结构连接到调节睡眠周期,心脏和呼吸功能的脑干,因此我们建议这种关键功能驱动DFC的较低变异性。总体而言,DFC中检测到的低变异性扩大了我们目前对小脑网络的了解,这些小脑网络非常丰富且复杂,参与了广泛的认知功能,从运动控制和协调到执行功能或情感调节。此外,这种低变异性和结构之间的关联表明,与其他结构(例如脑皮质)相反,可以在小脑中应用分化的计算原理。
Brain networks can be defined and explored through their connectivity. Here, we analyzed the relationship between structural connectivity (SC) across 2,514 regions that cover the entire brain and brainstem, and their dynamic functional connectivity (DFC). To do so, we focused on a combination of two metrics: the first assesses the degree of SC-DFC similarity and the second is the intrinsic variability of the DFC networks over time. Overall, we found that cerebellar networks have a smaller DFC variability than other networks in the brain. Moreover, the internal structure of the cerebellum could be clearly divided in two distinct posterior and anterior parts, the latter also connected to the brainstem. The mechanism to maintain small variability of the DFC in the posterior part of the cerebellum is consistent with another of our findings, namely, that this structure exhibits the highest SC-DFC similarity relative to the other networks studied. By contrast, the anterior part of the cerebellum also exhibits small DFC variability but it has the lowest SC-DFC similarity, suggesting a different mechanism is at play. Because this structure connects to the brainstem, which regulates sleep cycles, cardiac and respiratory functioning, we suggest that such critical functionality drives the low variability in the DFC. Overall, the low variability detected in DFC expands our current knowledge of cerebellar networks, which are extremely rich and complex, participating in a wide range of cognitive functions, from movement control and coordination to executive function or emotional regulation. Moreover, the association between such low variability and structure suggests that differentiated computational principles can be applied in the cerebellum as opposed to other structures, such as the cerebral cortex.