A multi-scale cortical wiring space links cellular architecture and functional dynamics in the human brain

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• The human cortex's complex fiber network supports diverse brain organization levels.
• Existing models of cortico-cortical wiring are often based on outdated anatomical studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel coordinate system for the human cortex based on an advanced connectivity model.
• To integrate microstructural features and proximity into cortical wiring models.

Main Methods:

• Utilized cutting-edge in vivo neuroimaging (diffusion MRI) and machine learning.
• Expanded upon traditional diffusion MRI tractography by incorporating microstructural data.
• Studied multiple datasets and parcellation schemes for robust validation.

Main Results:

• The new coordinate system successfully recapitulates established sensory-limbic and anterior-posterior brain organization dimensions.
• Validation experiments confirmed the wiring space reflects cortical microcircuit features, including neuron depth and glial expression.
• Simulations based on resting-state fMRI and EEG coherence demonstrated competitive functional connectivity and dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The proposed cortical wiring space advances understanding of hierarchical organization driven by neurobiological gradients.
• This novel framework bridges different scales of neural organization and is applicable to individual brains.