Broadband Criticality of Human Brain Network Synchronization
Author Information
Author(s): Kitzbichler Manfred G., Smith Marie L., Christensen Søren R., Bullmore Ed
Primary Institution: Behavioural & Clinical Neurosciences Institute, University of Cambridge
Hypothesis
Self-organized criticality is an attractive model for human brain dynamics, but there has been little direct evidence for its existence in large-scale systems measured by neuroimaging.
Conclusion
The study provides strong evidence that human brain functional systems exist in a state of dynamical criticality, characterized by prolonged periods of phase-locking and rapid changes in global synchronization.
Supporting Evidence
- Power law scaling of synchronization metrics was observed in both functional MRI and MEG data.
- Critical dynamics were identified consistently across frequency intervals in the brain's physiological bandwidth.
- Long periods of phase-locking were more likely to occur between functionally related processes.
Takeaway
The human brain works like a team that can quickly change how it communicates, helping us think and react better.
Methodology
The study used computational simulations and analyzed functional MRI and magnetoencephalographic data to measure phase synchronization and global synchronization metrics.
Limitations
The finite length of time series may affect the estimation of power law scaling and the absolute value of estimated power law exponents.
Participant Demographics
17 healthy volunteers aged 18–33 years, mean age 24.3 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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