Changes in functional connectivity dynamics associated with vigilance network in taxi drivers.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Resting-state functional connectivity (FC) fluctuations are increasingly recognized as indicators of cognitive state shifts, not mere noise.
• Limited understanding exists regarding how long-term training and experience influence these dynamic FC changes at rest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the dynamics of resting-state FC and driving behavior.
• To compare FC dynamics in licensed taxi drivers versus healthy non-drivers.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a sliding window approach and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) on resting-state fMRI data.
• Compared 20 licensed taxi drivers with 20 healthy non-drivers.
• Analyzed amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and functional connectivity segmentation.

Main Results:

• Driving experience was accurately decoded (90% accuracy) from FC fluctuation amplitudes, primarily within the vigilance network.
• Drivers exhibited decreased FC fluctuation amplitudes in the vigilance network, negatively correlated with years of driving.
• Significant differences in dwell time of vigilance-related brain states were observed between drivers and non-drivers.

Conclusions:

• Long-term driving experience is associated with altered time-dependent aspects of resting-state FC within the vigilance network.
• These findings enhance understanding of brain mechanisms supporting driving behavior and the link between network dynamics and individual experience.