Stochastic synchronization of dynamics on the human connectome
James C Pang1, Leonardo L Gollo2, James A Roberts1
1QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
Neuroimage
|January 17, 2021
Summary
Noise can surprisingly boost brain network synchronization, especially in hub regions. This stochastic synchronization is driven by the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Complex Systems
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Synchronization is crucial for oscillatory network function.
- Network topology and dynamics influence synchronization.
- The impact of external noise on synchronization in real-world systems like the brain is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how network properties and stochastic perturbations drive synchronization in a large-scale human brain model.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying stochastic synchronization in the human connectome.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a large-scale model of the human brain network (human connectome).
- Analyzed synchronization patterns under varying coupling strengths and noise levels.
- Investigated the relationship between synchronization, neural timescales, network topology, and functional connectivity.
Main Results:
- The model exhibited complex synchronization patterns, transitioning between incoherent and coherent states.
- A critical coupling strength revealed that noise can paradoxically increase synchronization (stochastic synchronization).
- Structural hub nodes benefited most from noise-induced synchronization, driven by network hierarchy and topology.
Conclusions:
- Stochastic synchronization is a viable mechanism for network integration in the brain.
- The findings provide theoretical insights into the emergence and mechanisms of synchronization in complex networks.
- This phenomenon may contribute to the brain's ability to achieve integrated function despite external perturbations.
