EEG Signatures of Dynamic Functional Network Connectivity States

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Brain function relies on dynamic modulation of neural populations for goal-directed behavior.
• Functional connectivity dynamics in resting-state imaging data are linked to neural synchrony.
• Previous work identified seven distinct functional connectivity states in healthy adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate electrophysiological signatures corresponding to dynamic functional connectivity states.
• To validate previous findings on functional connectivity states in an independent sample.
• To explore the relationship between concurrent EEG and fMRI data during eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a sliding window correlation method on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data.
• Acquired concurrent electroencephalography (EEG) and resting-state fMRI data from healthy adults.
• Analyzed EEG spectral signatures associated with identified functional network connectivity patterns.

Main Results:

• Replicated previous findings on seven distinct functional connectivity states.
• Identified specific EEG spectral signatures linked to functional network connectivity changes.
• Observed common and distinct connectivity patterns and EEG signatures between eyes-open and eyes-closed states.
• Found a vigilance-dependent functional connectivity state associated with reduced alpha and increased delta/theta EEG power, indicative of drowsiness, more prevalent in the eyes-closed state.

Conclusions:

• Established a link between dynamic fMRI connectivity and concurrent EEG data.
• Demonstrated a significant effect of vigilance on functional connectivity.
• Highlighted that brain connectivity is not stationary, even over short periods.