Dynamic functional connectivity: Promise, issues, and interpretations

The brain must dynamically integrate, coordinate, and respond to internal and external stimuli across multiple time scales. Non-invasive measurements of brain activity with fMRI have greatly advanced our understanding of the large-scale functional organization supporting these fundamental features of brain function. Conclusions from previous resting-state fMRI investigations were based upon static descriptions of functional connectivity (FC), and only recently studies have begun to capitalize on the wealth of information contained within the temporal features of spontaneous BOLD FC. Emerging evidence suggests that dynamic FC metrics may index changes in macroscopic neural activity patterns underlying critical aspects of cognition and behavior, though limitations with regard to analysis and interpretation remain. Here, we review recent findings, methodological considerations, neural and behavioral correlates, and future directions in the emerging field of dynamic FC investigations.

Authors

• R. Matthew Hutchison
• Thilo Womelsdorf
• Elena A. Allen
• Peter A. Bandettini
• Vince D. Calhoun
• Maurizio Corbetta
• Stefania Della Penna
• Jeff H. Duyn
• Gary H. Glover
• Javier Gonzalez-Castillo
• Daniel A. Handwerker
• Shella Keilholz
• Vesa Kiviniemi
• David A. Leopold
• Francesco de Pasquale
• Olaf Sporns
• Martin Walter
• Catie Chang

Keywords

• Functional connectivity
• Resting state
• Dynamics
• Spontaneous activity
• Functional MRI (fMRI)
• Fluctuations