The dynamic functional core network of the human brain at rest

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Network Science
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• The human brain is a complex, dynamic system with constantly reconfiguring functional networks.
• Efficient communication between brain regions is vital, even during rest.
• Characterizing rapid (millisecond-scale) network dynamics during rest is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the fast temporal dynamics of spontaneous brain networks during rest.
• To identify key brain regions and their roles in network reconfiguration.
• To understand how brain networks achieve segregation and integration at fast timescales.

Main Methods:

• Utilized dense electroencephalography (EEG) data recorded during a task-free paradigm.
• Applied network-based analysis methods to track functional brain dynamics.
• Quantified network properties such as betweenness centrality, strength, and clustering coefficient.

Main Results:

• Identified a functional dynamic core network comprising key brain regions.
• These core regions exhibit high betweenness centrality, strength, and vulnerability, with low clustering coefficients.
• The dynamic core is primarily located in the cingulate and medial frontal cortex, with many hubs belonging to the Default Mode Network.
• Observed that central regions can dynamically switch between provincial (local) and connector (global) hub roles.

Conclusions:

• A dynamic core network exists, ensuring efficient segregation and integration of information at fast timescales.
• Specific medial frontal and cingulate regions, particularly within the Default Mode Network, are critical hubs for brain communication.
• Brain regions dynamically adapt their roles, acting as either local or global hubs to maintain network efficiency.