Brain disconnections link structural connectivity with function and behaviour

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuroanatomy
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Brain lesions disrupt neural function by disconnecting brain areas.
• The precise role of white matter connections in brain function has been debated for centuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reveal the human Disconnectome based on stroke lesions.
• To demonstrate the relationship between brain disconnections and functional brain segregation.
• To create a comprehensive Atlas of White Matter Function.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 1333 stroke lesions.
• Mapping brain disconnections and their spatial distribution.
• Correlating disconnection patterns with functional brain territories.

Main Results:

• Identified the human Disconnectome and its link to functional segregation.
• Demonstrated that functional territories are defined by both white matter connections and disconnection patterns.
• Mapped 590 distinct brain functions onto the white matter network.

Conclusions:

• Brain disconnections play a critical role in defining functional brain territories.
• Findings necessitate a revision of the current taxonomy of brain functions.
• The Atlas of White Matter Function will enhance clinical-neuroanatomical predictions and cognitive research.