Brainstem Modulation of Large-Scale Intrinsic Cortical Activity Correlations.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience

Background:

• Intrinsic brain activity exhibits continuous fluctuations, organized into large-scale correlated networks.
• These fluctuations are shaped by anatomical connections and influenced by subcortical neuromodulatory systems.
• Neuromodulatory systems are implicated in neurological and psychiatric disorders and their treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how subcortical neuromodulatory systems influence intrinsic activity correlations in the cortex.
• To synthesize emerging principles governing the interaction between neuromodulation and large-scale brain network dynamics.
• To explore the implications for understanding brain disorders and developing novel treatments.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent studies investigating neuromodulatory effects on intrinsic cortical activity.
• Focus on non-invasive human brain recordings (e.g., fMRI, EEG).
• Integration of findings across human, monkey, and rodent models.

Main Results:

• Neuromodulatory systems play a critical role in shaping the temporal and spatial structure of intrinsic cortical correlations.
• Variations in neuromodulation impact network strength, topography, and topology.
• Emerging principles highlight the influence of specific neuromodulators and receptors on network dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Understanding neuromodulatory influences on intrinsic brain activity is crucial for deciphering healthy brain function.
• Altered cortical dynamics in neurological and psychiatric disorders may be linked to disrupted neuromodulation.
• This knowledge can inform the development of mechanistically inspired biomarkers and personalized treatments.