Fast transient networks in spontaneous human brain activity.
To provide an effective substrate for cognitive processes, functional brain networks should be able to reorganize and coordinate on a sub-second temporal scale. We used magnetoencephalography recordings of spontaneous activity to characterize whole-brain functional connectivity dynamics at high temporal resolution. Using a novel approach that identifies the points in time at which unique patterns of activity recur, we reveal transient (100-200 ms) brain states with spatial topographies similar to those of well-known resting state networks. By assessing temporal changes in the occurrence of these states, we demonstrate that within-network functional connectivity is underpinned by coordinated neuronal dynamics that fluctuate much more rapidly than has previously been shown. We further evaluate cross-network interactions, and show that anticorrelation between the default mode network and parietal regions of the dorsal attention network is consistent with an inability of the system to transition directly between two transient brain states. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01867.001.
['Baker|Adam P|AP|', 'Brookes|Matthew J|MJ|', 'Rezek|Iead A|IA|', 'Smith|Stephen M|SM|', 'Behrens|Timothy|T|', 'Probert Smith|Penny J|PJ|', 'Woolrich|Mark|M|']
D000200:Action Potentials D001921:Brain D001931:Brain Mapping D006801:Humans D007700:Kinetics D015225:Magnetoencephalography D008564:Membrane Potentials D008959:Models, Neurological D009415:Nerve Net D012146:Rest D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
magnetoencephalography connectivity resting state hidden Markov model microstates non-stationary