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The elusive concept of brain connectivity
1Brain Imaging and Modeling Section, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. horwitz@helix.nih.gov
Neuroimage
|June 20, 2003
Summary
Brain connectivity research uses functional and effective connectivity concepts. However, these terms are ambiguously defined across neuroimaging studies, necessitating cautious interpretation of findings.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Neurons and neural populations interact to perform sensorimotor and cognitive tasks.
- Functional connectivity and effective connectivity concepts were developed to quantify these interactions.
- Functional neuroimaging techniques like PET and fMRI are widely used to study brain connectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review the conceptual clarity of functional and effective connectivity.
- To highlight inconsistencies in the application of these terms across neuroimaging studies.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of connectivity concepts.
- Analysis of definitions and computational algorithms used in functional neuroimaging.
Main Results:
- Conceptual formulations of functional and effective connectivity lack clarity.
- Inconsistent definitions and methodologies across studies lead to ambiguity.
- Application of terms to diverse data types (PET, fMRI, EEG) with varying features exacerbates inconsistencies.
Conclusions:
- Comparisons of functional and effective connectivity across studies should be approached with caution.
- Further clarification of definitions and underlying neural substrates is required.
- Standardization of methodologies is needed for reliable connectivity research.