Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Measurement of Specific Mycobacterial Mistranslation Rates with Gain-of-function Reporter Systems
Published on: April 26, 2019
The modulation of neural gain facilitates a transition between functional segregation and integration in the brain
James M Shine1,2, Matthew J Aburn3, Michael Breakspear3,4
1Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.
Abstract:
Cognitive function relies on a dynamic, context-sensitive balance between functional integration and segregation in the brain. Previous work has proposed that this balance is mediated by global fluctuations in neural gain by projections from ascending neuromodulatory nuclei. To test this hypothesis in silico, we studied the effects of neural gain on network dynamics in a model of large-scale neuronal dynamics. We found that increases in neural gain directed the network through an abrupt dynamical transition, leading to an integrated network topology that was maximal in frontoparietal 'rich club' regions. This gain-mediated transition was also associated with increased topological complexity, as well as increased variability in time-resolved topological structure, further highlighting the potential computational benefits of the gain-mediated network transition. These results support the hypothesis that neural gain modulation has the computational capacity to mediate the balance between integration and segregation in the brain.
Related Concept Videos
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions
Gain
Gain:
Suppose Vin is the input and Vout is the output signal to a circuit.
Facilitated Transport
Phase Transitions
Law of Segregation
Social Facilitation

