Communication dynamics in the human connectome

人类大脑是一个复杂的网络，由解剖学上相互连接和功能上相互作用的神经元群体组成。这些分布式元素之间的集体通信被认为支持模式化的神经活动，以及灵活的认知操作和复杂的行为。最近在非侵入性神经成像方面的创新导致了越来越详细的人脑连接模式（连接体）地图。随着网络科学和统计学的分析进展，我们对大脑网络的组织原理有了新的认识，尽管取得了相当大的进展，但我们还不知道大脑网络中的神经信号如何转化为个体行为和表现的差异。首先，大多数现代研究都集中在大脑网络的静态特性上，但仍然缺乏关于这些网络上的通信过程如何展开的基本理论模型。第二，我们对大脑网络组织的认识大多来自于对许多个体的平均复合连接体的研究，模糊了网络功能与个体行为差异之间的联系，本研究的目标是研究个体连接体上的通信过程如何引起可观察到的神经活动模式和认知行为表型的个体差异。首先，我们将继续发展一个理论和计算框架，将大脑结构和功能联系起来，将大脑功能概念化为连接体上通信过程的结果。第二，我们将为个体的人类连接体定制这些模型，并将网络特征与认知和行为中的个体联系起来。这项工作将为人类连接体上的通信过程如何展开并产生个体认知特征建立原则性的理论基础。这些发现有可能揭示精神障碍的网络机制，从而解决具有重大社会意义的问题。拟议的项目将两个充满活力的科学学科结合起来，为学员提供独特的教育机会。

Communication dynamics in the human connectomeThe human brain is a complex network of anatomically connected and functionally interacting neuronal populations. Collective communication among these distributed elements is thought to support patterned neural activity, as well as flexible cognitive operations and complex behavior. Recent innovations in noninvasive neuroimaging have resulted in increasingly detailed maps of human brain connectivity patterns (connectomes). Concomitant analytic advancements in network science and statistics have offered new insight into the organizational principles of brain networks.Despite considerable progress, we do not yet understand how neural signalling in brain networks translates to individual variation in behaviour and performance. First, most modern research has focused on static properties of brain networks, but fundamental theoretical models of how communication processes unfold on these networks are still lacking. Second, much of our knowledge about brain network organization comes from studies performed on composite connectomes averaged over many individuals, obscuring the link between network function and individual differences in behaviour.The goal of this proposal is to investigate how communication processes on individual connectomes give rise to observable neural activity patterns and to individual variation in cognitive-behavioral phenotypes. First, we will continue to develop a theoretical and computational framework to relate brain structure and function, by conceptualizing brain function as the result of communication processes on the connectome. Second, we will customize these models to individual human connectomes and relate network features to individuality in cognition and behavior.This work will establish a principled, theoretical foundation for how communication processes unfold on the human connectome and give rise to individual cognitive characteristics. These findings have the potential to uncover network mechanisms of mental disorders, thus addressing a problem of great societal importance. The proposed project integrates two vibrant scientific disciplines, providing unique educational opportunities for trainees.