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Functional connectivity and network analysis of midbrain and brainstem nuclei

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 03:49 authored by Karl-Jürgen Baer, Feliberto de la Cruz, Andy Schumann, Stefanie Koehler, Heinrich Sauer, Hugo CritchleyHugo Critchley, Gerd Wagner
There is limited understanding of how monoamine-producing nuclei within midbrain and brainstem contribute to the formation and functional dynamics of brain networks across the human neocortex. We used resting state fMRI in 154 healthy participants to elucidate patterns of functional connectivity and network organization between cortical/subcortical regions and midbrain/brainstem nuclei. By means of univariate functional connectivity and graph-based analysis, we show that dopaminergic midbrain centers and the serotonergic dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) are functionally integrated with the default mode network (DMN), whereas the remaining serotonergic raphe nuclei and the noradrenergic locus coeruleus are functionally integrated with the executive-control network (ECN). The majority of midbrain/brainstem nuclei show a high level of connectedness to other network modules classifying these nuclei as “connector” hubs. The additionally applied probabilistic independent component analysis (PICA) broadly corresponded with the results of the GT analysis, describing similar functionally-relevant cortical networks. Since monoaminergic neurotransmission is essential to neocortical function, and represents an important target for pharmacotherapy, our novel findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the functional organization of the human brain.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

NeuroImage

ISSN

1053-8119

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

134

Page range

53-63

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Neuroscience Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-10-31

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-10-31

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