Brain network flexibility as a predictor of skilled musical performance

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Motor Control

Background:

• Sensorimotor skills require dynamic brain activity modulation.
• Brain network flexibility is increasingly recognized for its role in integrating sensorimotor information.
• The relationship between brain network flexibility and individual differences in sensorimotor skill remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how brain network flexibility relates to interindividual variations in sensorimotor skill.
• To explore the role of brain network flexibility in trial-by-trial performance variability.
• To examine the predictive power of brain network flexibility for skilled musical performance.

Main Methods:

• Recruited skilled musical performers.
• Utilized multichannel-scalp electroencephalography (EEG) to record brain activity.
• Combined behavioral performance metrics with mathematical approaches to quantify brain network flexibility.

Main Results:

• Brain network flexibility before performance initiation predicted interindividual differences in tone timbre precision for feedback control.
• Brain network flexibility across broad cortical regions was associated with skilled musical performance.
• No significant prediction was found for feedforward control.

Conclusions:

• Brain network flexibility is a key factor underlying skilled sensorimotor performance.
• Flexible brain communications are essential for adapting to dynamic environmental interactions.
• This study provides novel evidence linking brain network flexibility to the development and execution of sensorimotor skills.