Elucidating functional differences between cortical gyri and sulci via sparse representation HCP grayordinate fMRI data

Abstract

The highly convoluted cerebral cortex is characterized by two different topographic structures: convex gyri and concave sulci. Increasing studies have demonstrated that cortical gyri and sulci exhibit different structural connectivity patterns. Inspired by the intrinsic structural differences between gyri and sulci, in this paper, we present a data-driven framework based on sparse representation of fMRI data for functional network inferences, then examine the interactions within and across gyral and sulcal functional networks and finally elucidate possible functional differences using graph theory based properties. We apply the proposed framework to the high-resolution Human Connectome Project (HCP) grayordinate fMRI data. Extensive experimental results on both resting state fMRI data and task-based fMRI data consistently suggested that gyri are more functionally integrated, while sulci are more functionally segregated in the organizational architecture of cerebral cortex, offering novel understanding of the byzantine cerebral cortex.

Exploring 3‐hinge gyral folding patterns among HCP Q3 868 human subjects

“…In our previous works (Figure S7 and Table S3), it has been demonstrated that 3-hinges have thicker cortices (Li et al, 2015), higher fiber density and diversities (Li et al 2010; Chen et al 2014; Yu et al 2013; Li et al 2017; Ge et al 2017), and are more strongly functionally connected (Jiang et al 2015; Jiang et al 2016a; Jiang et al 2016b; Liu et al 2017) compared to other gyral regions. From the perspective of brain development, we found in our previous works that the 3-hinges with complicated morphology tend to have more diverse connected fibers’ end orientations.…”

“…In fact, 3-hinges are of unique structural and functional importance in terms of structural and functional features, brain development and brain evolution, and has the potential to determine inter-subject correspondence (Li, et al 2010; Nie et al 2011; Li, et al, 2015; Chen et al 2012; Chen et al 2014; Zhang et al 2014; Yu et al 2013; Li et al, 2017; Jiang et al, 2015; Jiang et al, 2016a; Jiang et al, 2016b; Ge et al, 2017; Liu et al, 2017). In our previous works (Figure S7 and Table S3), it has been demonstrated that 3-hinges have thicker cortices (Li et al, 2015), higher fiber density and diversities (Li et al 2010; Chen et al 2014; Yu et al 2013; Li et al 2017; Ge et al 2017), and are more strongly functionally connected (Jiang et al 2015; Jiang et al 2016a; Jiang et al 2016b; Liu et al 2017) compared to other gyral regions.…”

Deep Learning Models Unveiled Functional Difference Between Cortical Gyri and Sulci

“…Thanks to advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we can observe the structural and functional profiles of cortical gyri and sulci in unprecedented details in vivo. A growing number of studies show differences in gyral and sulcal regions, including structural and functional connectivity patterns [7,[18][19][20][21]. For example, neuroimaging and bioimaging studies revealed that DTI-derived streamline fiber terminations mainly concentrate on gyri [21,22].…”

“…For example, neuroimaging and bioimaging studies revealed that DTI-derived streamline fiber terminations mainly concentrate on gyri [21,22]. Other studies have also made efforts to study the difference between gyri and sulci from the functional perspective [18,20,23,24]. In [18], author demonstrated that the functional connectivity is strong among gyri, weak among sulci, and moderate between gyri and sulci.…”

“…In [23], Jiang found that the identified THFRs (task-based heterogeneous functional regions) locate significantly more on gyral regions than on sulcal regions, suggesting gyri may focus more on the tasks or natural stimulus. In [20], Liu pointed out that gyri are more functionally integrated, while sulci are more functionally segregated. Above-mentioned findings suggest that functional difference between gyri and sulci indeed exist.…”