Functional modular organization unfolded by chimera-like dynamics in a large-scale brain network model

Abstract

The brain is organized as a complex network architecture, which can be mapped into structural (SC) and functional connectivity (FC) by advanced neuroimaging techniques. Achievements in brain network research have revealed that modularity is a universal trait in brain networks and may be vital for cognitive segregation and integration. Large-scale brain network modeling is a promising computational approach to combine neuroimaging data with generative rules for brain dynamics. Recently, it has been proposed that chimera states, a type of dynamics referring to the coexistence of coherent and incoherent participants, have traits in common with cognitive functions like segregated and integrated brain processing. Previous studies have reported the existence of chimera-like dynamics in large-scale brain network models, whereas they did not account for the relationship between chimera-like dynamics and corresponding functional modular organizations of the brain network. By specifying qualitatively different network dynamics in an anatomically-constrained brain network model, we compare the different modular organizations of FC unfolded by network dynamics. Our simulations reveal that chimera-like dynamics support a meaningful pattern of functional modular organization, which promotes a diversity of node roles with a distributed pattern of functional cartography. The distinct node roles in modular FC are also found to occur with a spatial preference in specific brain regions, and, to some extent, reflect the underlying structure constraints. Our results support the view that chimera-like dynamics is a functionally meaningful scenario that may play a fundamental role in the segregation and integration of brain functioning.