Abstract
The focus of this paper is on the functional role of brain regions focusing on their modular architecture and individual variability. Our main assumption is that the more variable anti-correlation patterns reflect random connections, while the more conserved ones play a functional role. Within this framework, we expanded on previous results using a different database and a different methodological approach. Aiming to identify the role of specific functional connections within a global network organization which includes subnetworks, we found that the fronto-parietal module acts as the main source of anti-correlations. In addition, the pre-frontal regions (namely: frontal middle, frontal middle orbital, frontal inferior triangular) and the parietal inferior region are highly conserved and, at the same time, act as highly connected nodes, thus confirming their importance in functional modulation.
Highlights
The focus of this paper is on the functional role of brain regions focusing on their modular architecture and individual variability
This value is used as a threshold in subsequent analyses for both positive and negative functional networks
We studied in deep the connections of these regions in order to understand possible miss-matched results and could define that: (1) the left middle cingulate has 47% of its connections in the Default Mode Network (DMN) module and 53% in the fronto-temporal, its connections are placed between the two modules almost symmetrically; (2) the left pre-central gyrus has 42% of connection on its module but 58% in the temporo-parietal module; (3) the thalamus is connected to the DMN by a single link
Summary
The focus of this paper is on the functional role of brain regions focusing on their modular architecture and individual variability. Our main assumption is that the more variable anti-correlation patterns reflect random connections, while the more conserved ones play a functional role. Within this framework, we expanded on previous results using a different database and a different methodological approach. (1) the presence of intra-module negative interactions; (2) the large inter-subject variability; (3) the specific functional role of brain regions in anti-correlated networks. In such a context, the architecture of a negative functional brain network and its changes as a function of connection variability require systematic exploration. It is worth noting that while the individual variability’ of positive functional connection is already characterized[21], this is not true concerning negative functional connections
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