A Dynamic Entropy Approach Reveals Reduced Functional Network Connectivity Trajectory Complexity in Schizophrenia.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Dynamic Systems Theory
• Information Theory

Background:

• Dynamic functional imaging reveals brain connectivity states and their transitions.
• Recent research explores dynamic systems and information theory to understand brain function.
• The impact of psychiatric disorders on these dynamic measures remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of schizophrenia on dynamic functional connectivity using information theory.
• To quantify the complexity of brain activity trajectories in state space.

Main Methods:

• Identified a basis for dynamic functional connectivity state space.
• Tracked subject trajectories through state space during functional imaging scans.
• Assessed trajectory complexity along dimensions of the basis space.

Main Results:

• Schizophrenia patients showed significantly simpler trajectories in state space compared to healthy controls.
• The reduction in complexity was concentrated along specific dimensions of the state space.
• Entropy generation in certain dimensions correlated with cognitive performance.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic systems theory offers valuable insights into neuroimaging data.
• Schizophrenia is associated with a substantial decrease in the complexity of brain functional dynamics.
• These findings highlight potential biomarkers for schizophrenia and cognitive function.