Spectral-switching analysis reveals real-time neuronal network representations of concurrent spontaneous naturalistic behaviors in human brain

Zhu, H.; Michalak, A. J.; Merricks, E. M.; Agopyan-Miu, A. H. C. W.; Jacobs, J.; Hamberger, M. J.; Sheth, S.; McKhann, G. M.; Feldstein, N.; Schevon, C.; Hillman, E. M. C.

doi:10.1101/2024.07.08.600416

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.07.08.600416

Spectral-switching analysis reveals real-time neuronal network representations of concurrent spontaneous naturalistic behaviors in human brain

Zhu, H.·Michalak, A. J.·Merricks, E. M.·Agopyan-Miu, A. H. C. W.·Jacobs, J.·Hamberger, M. J.·Sheth, S.·McKhann, G. M.·Feldstein, N.·Schevon, C.·Hillman, E. M. C.

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Abstract

Despite abundant evidence of functional networks in the human brain, their neuronal underpinnings, and relationships to real-time behavior have been challenging to resolve. Analyzing brain-wide intracranial-EEG recordings with video monitoring, acquired in awake subjects during clinical epilepsy evaluation, we discovered the tendency of each brain region to switch back and forth between 2 distinct power spectral densities (PSDs 2-55Hz). We further recognized that this spectral switching occurs synchronously between distant sites, even between regions with differing baseline PSDs, revealing long-range functional networks that would be obscured in analysis of individual frequency bands. Moreover, the real-time PSD-switching dynamics of specific networks exhibited striking alignment with activities such as conversation and hand movements, revealing a multi-threaded functional network representation of concurrent naturalistic behaviors. Network structures and their relationships to behaviors were stable across days, but were altered during N3 sleep. Our results provide a new framework for understanding real-time, brain-wide neural-network dynamics.

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Zhu, H., Michalak, A. J., Merricks, E. M., Agopyan-Miu, A. H. C. W., Jacobs, J., Hamberger, M. J., Sheth, S., McKhann, G. M., Feldstein, N., Schevon, C., Hillman, E. M. C.. 2024-07-11. Spectral-switching analysis reveals real-time neuronal network representations of concurrent spontaneous naturalistic behaviors in human brain. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.08.600416

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