Brain network dynamics are hierarchically organized in time

The brain recruits neuronal populations in a temporally coordinated manner in task and at rest. However, the extent to which large-scale networks exhibit their own organized temporal dynamics is unclear. We use an approach designed to find repeating network patterns in whole-brain resting fMRI data, where networks are defined as graphs of interacting brain areas. We find that the transitions between networks are nonrandom, with certain networks more likely to occur after others. Further, this nonrandom sequencing is itself hierarchically organized, revealing two distinct sets of networks, or metastates, that the brain has a tendency to cycle within. One metastate is associated with sensory and motor regions,…

• UO
  University of Minnesota
• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Awards: 106183/Z/14/Z, 203139/Z/16/Z, 098369/Z/12/Z, 203139
• NI
  National Institute for Health and Care Research

  Award: 203139/Z/16/Z
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: 203139/Z/16/Z, MR/K005464/1, MR/K005464/1, 098369/Z/12/Z