Atlasing white matter and grey matter joint contributions to resting-state networks in the human brain

Abstract

Over the past two decades, the study of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has revealed the existence of multiple brain areas displaying synchronous functional blood oxygen level-dependent signals (BOLD) - resting-state networks (RSNs). The variation in functional connectivity between the different areas of a resting-state network or between multiple networks, have been extensively studied and linked to cognitive states and pathologies. However, the white matter connections supporting each network remain only partially described. In this work, we developed a data-driven method to systematically map the white and grey matter contributing to resting-state networks. Using the Human Connectome Project, we generated an atlas of 30 resting-state networks, each with two maps: white matter and grey matter. By integrating structural and functional neuroimaging data, this method builds an atlas that unlocks the joint anatomical exploration of white and grey matter to resting-state networks. The method also allows highlighting the overlap between networks, which revealed that most (89%) of the brain's white matter is shared amongst multiple networks, with 16% shared by at least 7 resting-state networks. These overlaps, especially the existence of regions shared by numerous networks, suggest that white matter lesions in these areas might strongly impact the correlations and the communication within resting-state networks. We provide an open-source software to explore the joint contribution of white and grey matter to RSNs and facilitate the study of the impact of white matter damage on RSNs.

Improved Functionnectome by dissociating the contributions of white matter fiber classes to functional activation

“…In this regard, we recently introduced the Functionnectome (Nozais et al 2021), a structural-functional method -and an open-source program -that combines an fMRI acquisition with whole-brain, tractography-derived, white matter connectivity data. It has been successfully applied to task fMRI (t-fMRI) -mapping white matter domains linked to speci c cognitive tasks -and to resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) -mapping the white matter and grey matter joint contribution to resting-state networks (Nozais et al 2023).…”

Multi‐level prediction of substance use: Interaction of white matter integrity, resting‐state connectivity and inhibitory control measured repeatedly in every‐day life

“…Having demonstrated the value of combining an executive functional network with a behavioural measure of inhibition, the current study employed MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to extend our search for anatomical biomarkers that underly inhibition dysfunction and enhance substance use prediction. The integrity of the anatomical connections within the brain, namely, white matter, is crucial for enabling efficient functional connectivity 18 and cognitive functioning. 19 Compromise of the white matter bundles between the frontal cortex and other subcortical and cortical sites has already been linked to tobacco, 20 cannabis 21 and alcohol 22 use.…”

Assessing White Matter Engagement in Brain Networks through Functional and Structural Connectivity Mapping

“…For example, using a general linear model (GLM), their studies have detected WM regions that are potentially involved in GM activation in response to tasks 15 . Moreover, leveraging the segregated nature of the mapped signals, they have categorized WM voxels into distinct networks through independent component analysis (ICA) 16 . However, the structural or biophysical foundations of these mapped BOLD signals remain unclear.…”