Multiplex core-periphery organization of the human connectome

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Network Science
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Understanding the human brain's core structure is crucial for neuroscience.
• Current methods often overlook functional interactions, focusing primarily on anatomical connections.
• A principled approach is needed to define network cores in multi-layer networks with diverse connectivity types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a general framework for defining and extracting the core-periphery structure of multi-layer networks.
• To integrate structural and functional brain network data for a comprehensive view of the human connectome's core.
• To identify key brain regions essential for intrinsic brain functioning.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel algorithm to analyze multi-layer networks, considering connectivity patterns at each layer.
• Validated the algorithm on synthetic networks with varying sizes, densities, and core overlaps.
• Applied the method to merge structural and functional data from human brain networks.

Main Results:

• Confirmed the established roles of known cortical and subcortical hubs in the brain's core.
• Identified previously unrecognized areas within the sensori-motor cortex as critical for intrinsic brain function.
• Provided an integrated description of the human connectome's core structure.

Conclusions:

• The new framework offers a robust method for analyzing complex, multi-layer brain networks.
• Findings highlight the importance of integrating diverse connectivity data for a holistic understanding of brain organization.
• The study advances our knowledge of the human connectome's core and opens avenues for exploring mesoscale network properties.