Discovering dynamic task-modulated functional networks with specific spectral modes using MEG

NeuroImage, vol. 218, pp. 116924

Abstract

Efficient neuronal communication between brain regions through oscillatory synchronization at certain frequencies is necessary for cognition. Such synchronized networks are transient and dynamic, established on the timescale of milliseconds in order to support ongoing cognitive operations. However, few studies characterizing dynamic electrophysiological brain networks have simultaneously accounted for temporal non-stationarity, spectral structure, and spatial properties. Here, we propose an analysis framework for characterizing the large-scale phase-coupling network dynamics during task performance using magnetoencephalography (MEG). We exploit the high spatiotemporal resolution of MEG to measure time-frequency dynamics of connectivity between parcellated brain regions, yielding data in tensor format. We then use a tensor component analysis (TCA)-based procedure to identify the spatio-temporal-spectral modes of covariation among separate regions in the human brain. We validate our pipeline using MEG data recorded during a hand movement task, extracting a transient motor network with beta-dominant spectral mode, which is significantly modulated by the movement task. Next, we apply the proposed pipeline to explore brain networks that support cognitive operations during a working memory task. The derived results demonstrate the temporal formation and dissolution of multiple phase-coupled networks with specific spectral modes, which are associated with face recognition, vision, and movement. The proposed pipeline can characterize the spectro-temporal dynamics of functional connectivity in the brain on the subsecond timescale, commensurate with that of cognitive performance.

Authors 7

1. Yongjie Zhu Aachen Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Medical Faculty

   Dalian University of Technology · RWTH Aachen University · University of Jyväskylä

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China; Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: yongjie.zhu@foxmail.com

   Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany

   Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

   School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China

2. Jia Liu

   Dalian University of Technology · University of Jyväskylä

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China; Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

   Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

   School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China

3. Chaoxiong Ye

   Sichuan Normal University · University of Jyväskylä

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610000, China; Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

   Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

   Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610000, China

4. Klaus Mathiak Aachen Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Medical Faculty

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany

5. Piia Astikainen

   University of Jyväskylä

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

6. Tapani Ristaniemi

   University of Jyväskylä

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

7. Fengyu Cong corresponding

   Dalian University of Technology · University of Jyväskylä

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China; Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland; School of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Liaoning Province. Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China. Electronic address: cong@dlut.edu.cn

   Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

   Key Laboratory of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Liaoning Province. Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China

   School of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China

   School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 116024, Dalian, China