Fluctuations in Global Brain Activity Are Associated With Changes in Whole-Brain Connectivity of Functional Networks

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between global brain activity, changes in whole-brain connectivity, and changes in brain states across subjects using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

We extended current methods that use a sparse set of coactivation patterns to extract critical time points in global brain activity. Critical activity time points were defined as points where the global signal is greater than one standard deviation above or below the average global signal. Four categories of critical points were defined along dimensions of global signal intensity and trajectory. Voxel-based methods were used to interrogate differences in connectivity between these critical points.

Several differences in connectivity were found in functional resting-state networks (RSNs) as a function of global activity. RSNs associated with cognitive functions in frontal, parietal, and subcortical regions exhibited greater whole-brain connectivity during lower global activity states. Meanwhile, RSNs associated with sensory functions exhibited greater whole-brain connectivity during the higher global activity states. Moreover, we present evidence that these results depend in part upon the standard deviation threshold used to define the critical points, suggesting critical points at different thresholds represent unique brain states.

Overall, the findings support the hypothesis that the brain oscillates through different states over the course of a resting-state study reflecting differences in RSN connectivity associated with global brain activity.

Increased understanding of brain dynamics may help to elucidate individual differences in behavior and dysfunction.