Cognitive task information is transferred between brain regions via resting-state network topology. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ito, Takuya; Kulkarni, Kaustubh; Schultz, Douglas; Mill, Ravi; Chen, Richard; Solomyak, Levi; Cole, Michael
• Is Part Of: Nature communications. Volume 8:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01000-w
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-1723

Abstract

Abstract Resting-state network connectivity has been associated with a variety of cognitive abilities, yet it remains unclear how these connectivity properties might contribute to the neurocognitive computations underlying these abilities. We developed a new approach—information transfer mapping—to test the hypothesis that resting-state functional network topology describes the computational mappings between brain regions that carry cognitive task information. Here, we report that the transfer of diverse, task-rule information in distributed brain regions can be predicted based on estimated activity flow through resting-state network connections. Further, we find that these task-rule information transfers are coordinated by global hub regions within cognitive control networks. Activity flow over resting-state connections thus provides a large-scale network mechanism for cognitive task information transfer and global information coordination in the human brain, demonstrating the cognitive relevance of resting-state network topology. Resting-state functional connections have been associated with cognitive abilities but it is unclear how these connections contribute to cognition. Here Ito et al present a new approach, information transfer mapping, showing that task-relevant information can be predicted by estimated activity flow through resting-state networks.