Modular structure–function coupling reveals different network reorganization for task performance

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Abstract Understanding how structural and functional brain networks interact to support cognitive processes remains a central challenge in systems neuroscience. In this study, we investigate the dynamics of structure-function coupling (SFC) at the modular level across different cognitive tasks using multimodal neuroimaging data, including anatomical, diffusion, functional at rest and functional at different tasks. By constructing high-resolution structural and functional connectivity matrices, we introduce and systematically compare intra-modular (SFC-INT) and inter-modular (SFC-EXT) coupling as novel metrics to elucidate their distinct roles in task-specific brain network reorganization. Our results reveal that variations in SFC during cognitive tasks are primarily driven by changes in inter-modular coupling, emphasizing the role of network integration rather than segregation. Tasks with high integrative demands exhibited increased SFC-EXT, highlighting enhanced communication between modules, whereas memory-focused tasks showed reduced inter-modular coupling. Crucially, our methodological innovation of separating intra- and inter-modular coupling significantly advances the field by providing a more precise framework for discriminating cognitive tasks based on modular network dynamics. These findings position modular SFC metrics (SFC-INT and SFC-EXT) as essential tools for task-specific analysis of structural-functional interactions in the brain.
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Modular structure–function coupling reveals different network reorganization for task performance | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Modular structure–function coupling reveals different network reorganization for task performance Izaro Fernandez-Iriondo This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8326755/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Understanding how structural and functional brain networks interact to support cognitive processes remains a central challenge in systems neuroscience. In this study, we investigate the dynamics of structure-function coupling (SFC) at the modular level across different cognitive tasks using multimodal neuroimaging data, including anatomical, diffusion, functional at rest and functional at different tasks. By constructing high-resolution structural and functional connectivity matrices, we introduce and systematically compare intra-modular (SFC-INT) and inter-modular (SFC-EXT) coupling as novel metrics to elucidate their distinct roles in task-specific brain network reorganization. Our results reveal that variations in SFC during cognitive tasks are primarily driven by changes in inter-modular coupling, emphasizing the role of network integration rather than segregation. Tasks with high integrative demands exhibited increased SFC-EXT, highlighting enhanced communication between modules, whereas memory-focused tasks showed reduced inter-modular coupling. Crucially, our methodological innovation of separating intra- and inter-modular coupling significantly advances the field by providing a more precise framework for discriminating cognitive tasks based on modular network dynamics. These findings position modular SFC metrics (SFC-INT and SFC-EXT) as essential tools for task-specific analysis of structural-functional interactions in the brain. Health sciences/Neurology Biological sciences/Computational biology and bioinformatics/Computational neuroscience Biological sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive neuroscience Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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