Default Mode and Dorsal Attention Network functional connectivity associated with alpha and beta peak frequency in individuals

This study examined whether two non-invasive brain measures related to cognitive and mental health are linked within individuals. Using resting-state fMRI and MEG data from two datasets (n=89 and n=189), the authors found that stronger anti-correlations between the Dorsal Attention Network (DAN) and Default Mode Network (DMN) are associated with higher peak frequencies of alpha and beta brain rhythms. Additionally, individuals with higher alpha peak frequencies showed stronger positive within-network connectivity in both DMN and DAN. The association between these measures was stronger in females than males. These findings suggest a relationship between neurophysiological oscillatory activity and functional connectivity, contributing to biomarker research.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Alpha- and Beta-frequency oscillatory waves are evident in resting-state electro- and magneto-encephalography (EEG, MEG). Higher peak frequencies for Alpha and Beta are associated with greater cognitive health. Aging slows down the alpha and beta waves which are also affected by mental states, disorders such as ADHD, and sleep deprivation. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of resting-state brain activity reveals anti-correlation of very low frequency (< 0.1 Hz) fluctuations between two distributed cerebral cortical networks, the Dorsal Attention Network (DAN) and the Default Mode Network (DMN). DAN activation is related to attentional demands in extrinsic tasks, whereas DMN is associated with mind wandering, episodic memory retrieval, and intrinsic processing. Prior research has found that higher DAN-DMN anticorrelation is related to greater cognitive and mental health. Here, we investigated whether these two measures of cognitive and mental health are related to each other within individuals. We investigated resting-state Functional Connectivity (rsFC) between the DMN and DAN using fMRI and alpha and beta peaks from MEG using two large datasets (n=89 and n=189). We found that more robust anti-correlations between DMN and DAN regions are related to higher peak frequencies of alpha and beta rhythms in the brain. Subjects with higher alpha peak frequencies also show stronger positive within-network connectivity in both the DMN and DAN networks. Females show stronger correspondence between the two measures as compared to males. This association between two non-invasive cognitive neuroscience modalities adds to the growing literature on the biomarkers of cognitive and mental health. Key points MEG/EEG biomarker of brain health is correlated with rs-fMRI biomarker of brain health Alpha and beta peak frequency correlated with DMN-DAN functional connectivity Stronger within-network connectivity for subjects with a high alpha peak frequency Females have a stronger association between peak frequency and DMN-DAN connectivity