Resting-state functional connectivity MRI reveals active processes central to cognition

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) MRI initially mapped brain networks and clinical differences.
• Its relevance to cognitive processes was debated, with questions about its utility in cognitive neuroscience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and integrate research on the functional relevance of RSFC to human behavior and cognition.
• To propose a hypothesis on RSFC's mechanism of action on functional network dynamics and cognition.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of spontaneously correlated low-frequency activity fluctuations using functional MRI.
• Review and integration of recent research findings linking RSFC to cognitive domains.

Main Results:

• RSFC reflects dynamic processes actively involved in cognition, not just passive network activity.
• RSFC is associated with individual differences in perception, language, learning, memory, and conceptual knowledge organization.

Conclusions:

• RSFC MRI is functionally relevant to human behavior and higher-level cognition.
• RSFC MRI will be an invaluable tool for future discovery of neurocognitive interactions underlying cognition.