Brain-wide dynamic coactivation states code for hand movements in the resting state

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Brain Activity Dynamics

Background:

• Resting brain activity exhibits spatiotemporal patterns linked to behavior.
• Prior research focused on static, time-averaged brain activity.
• The role of resting-state dynamics in shaping behavior is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if dynamic, time-varying motor states observed during active movements are also present during rest.
• To explore the relationship between resting-state neural dynamics and task-based motor activity.
• To determine if resting-state patterns reflect frequently performed movements.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data during rest and active hand movements.
• Identification and characterization of distinct motor activation states.
• Comparison of resting-state motor patterns with task-evoked patterns and ecological movement frequencies.

Main Results:

• Three distinct motor activation states were identified, active during both rest and task execution.
• These motor states showed temporal reorganization between resting and active states.
• Resting-state patterns more closely matched frequent, ecological hand movements than unfamiliar ones.

Conclusions:

• Resting-state neural dynamics provide spatiotemporal priors for task-based activation and future movements.
• Spontaneous brain activity at rest appears to replay and store a repertoire of common movement patterns.
• This highlights a functional interplay between resting and task-driven brain activity for motor control and memory.