SUMMARY
What is the relationship between anatomical connection strength and rhythmic synchronization? Simultaneous recordings of 15 cortical areas in two macaque monkeys show that interareal networks are functionally organized in spatially distinct modules with specific synchronization frequencies, i.e. frequency-specific functional connectomes. We relate the functional interactions between 91 area pairs to their anatomical connection strength defined in a separate cohort of twenty six subjects. This reveals that anatomical connection strength predicts rhythmic synchronization and vice-versa, in a manner that is specific for frequency bands and for the feedforward versus feedback direction, even if interareal distances are taken into account. These results further our understanding of structure-function relationships in large-scale networks covering different modality-specific brain regions and provide strong constraints on mechanistic models of brain function. Because this approach can be adapted to non-invasive techniques, it promises to open new perspectives on the functional organization of the human brain.
Competing Interest Statement
P.F. and C.M.L. are beneficiaries of a license contract on thin-film electrodes with Blackrock Microsystems LLC (Salt Lake City, UT), and P.F. is member of the Scientific Technical Advisory Board of CorTec GmbH (Freiburg, Germany), and managing director of Brain Science GmbH (Frankfurt am Main, Germany).
Footnotes
↵8 Lead Contact
Original version of the submitted manuscript.