Cited by 846Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesAdvanced Neuroimaging Techniques and ApplicationsMental Health Research Topics

Functional Brain Networks Are Dominated by Stable Group and Individual Factors, Not Cognitive or Daily Variation

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Gratton, Caterina, Laumann, Timothy O., Nielsen, Ashley N., Greene, Deanna J., Gordon, Evan M., Gilmore, Adrian W., Nelson, Steven M., Coalson, Rebecca S. +4 more·2018·Neuron

Abstract

The organization of human brain networks can be measured by capturing correlated brain activity with fMRI. There is considerable interest in understanding how brain networks vary across individuals or neuropsychiatric populations or are altered during the performance of specific behaviors. However, the plausibility and validity of such measurements is dependent on the extent to which functional networks are stable over time or are state dependent. We analyzed data from nine high-quality, highly sampled individuals to parse the magnitude and anatomical distribution of network variability across subjects, sessions, and tasks. Critically, we find that functional networks are dominated by common organizational principles and stable individual features, with substantially more modest contributions from task-state and day-to-day variability. Sources of variation were differentially distributed across the brain and differentially linked to intrinsic and task-evoked sources. We conclude that functional networks are suited to measuring stable individual characteristics, suggesting utility in personalized medicine.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.03.035

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  • Studies with long scan times have revealed that both task-based and resting-state brain activity measures can be obtained with high reliability and precision, allowing researchers to focus on individuals rather than groups.

    “Studies with these long scan times have revealed that both task-based and resting-state brain activity measures can be obtained with high reliability and precision, allowing researchers to focus on individuals rather than on groups.”
  • Precision brain-mapping has shown individual differences in the organization of functional networks across the cerebral cortex and in subcortical structures such as the amygdala.

    “Precision brain-mapping, which involves the collection of several hours of imaging data from individual patients, has shown individual differences in the organization of functional networks across the cerebral cortex,104–107 as well as in subcortical structures such as the amygdala.108”

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Authors
Gratton, C., Laumann, T. O., Nielsen, A. N., Greene, D. J., Gordon, E. M., Gilmore, A. W., Nelson, S. M., Coalson, R. S., Snyder, A. Z., Schlaggar, B. L., Dosenbach, N. U. F., & Petersen, S. E.
Affiliations
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
  • Baylor University (US)
  • Texas A&M Health Science Center (US)
Corresponding author
Gratton, Caterina
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-04
Volume
98
Issue
2
Pages
439-452.e5
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2802442632
Cited by
846
References
87
Citations by year
2026: 78 · 2025: 84 · 2024: 124 · 2023: 98 · 2022: 103 · 2021: 136 · 2020: 97 · 2019: 88 · 2018: 38
FWCI
53.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • NIH (F32NS092290, NS088590, TR000448, MH100872, MH104592, 1P30NS098577, HD087011)
  • Jacobs Foundation (2016121703)
  • Child Neurology Foundation
  • McDonnell Center for Systems Neuroscience
  • Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (14-011)
  • Hope Center for Neurological Disorders
  • American Psychological Association
  • Dart Neuroscience LLC
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
Keywords
functional brain networks, network stability, interindividual variability, day-to-day variability, intrinsic brain activity, network organization, personalized medicine
MeSH terms
Adult, Brain, Brain Mapping, Cognition, Female, Humans, Individuality, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Nerve Net, Psychomotor Performance

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