Diffuse neural coupling mediates complex network dynamics through the formation of quasi-critical brain states.

ABSTRACT: The biological mechanisms that allow the brain to balance flexibility and integration remain poorly understood. A potential solution may lie in a unique aspect of neurobiology, which is that numerous brain systems contain diffuse synaptic connectivity. Here, we demonstrate that increasing diffuse cortical coupling within a validated biophysical corticothalamic model traverses the system through a quasi-critical regime in which spatial heterogeneities in input noise support transient critical dynamics in distributed subregions. The presence of quasi-critical states coincides with known signatures of complex, adaptive brain network dynamics. Finally, we demonstrate the presence of similar dynamic signatures in empirical whole-brain human neuroimaging data. Together, our results establish tha

SUBMITTER: Muller EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7729877 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature