Heritability and interindividual variability of regional structure-function coupling.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Gu Z, Jamison K, Sabuncu M, Kuceyeski A
Journal Nat Commun
Volume 12
Issue 1
Pagination 4894
Date Published 08/12/2021
ISSN 2041-1723
Keywords Algorithms, Brain, Connectome, Models, Neurological, Nerve Net
Abstract White matter structural connections are likely to support flow of functional activation or functional connectivity. While the relationship between structural and functional connectivity profiles, here called SC-FC coupling, has been studied on a whole-brain, global level, few studies have investigated this relationship at a regional scale. Here we quantify regional SC-FC coupling in healthy young adults using diffusion-weighted MRI and resting-state functional MRI data from the Human Connectome Project and study how SC-FC coupling may be heritable and varies between individuals. We show that regional SC-FC coupling strength varies widely across brain regions, but was strongest in highly structurally connected visual and subcortical areas. We also show interindividual regional differences based on age, sex and composite cognitive scores, and that SC-FC coupling was highly heritable within certain networks. These results suggest regional structure-function coupling is an idiosyncratic feature of brain organisation that may be influenced by genetic factors.
DOI 10.1038/s41467-021-25184-4
PubMed ID 34385454
PubMed Central ID PMC8361191
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