Graph-theoretical analysis identifies transient spatial states of resting-state dynamic functional network connectivity and reveals dysconnectivity in schizophrenia

Abstract

Background Dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) summarizes associations among time-varying brain networks and is widely used for studying dynamics. However, most previous studies compute dFNC using temporal variability while spatial variability started receiving increasing attention. It is hence desirable to investigate spatial variability and the interaction between temporal and spatial variability.

New method We propose to use an adaptive variant of constrained independent vector analysis to simultaneously capture temporal and spatial variability, and introduce a goal-driven scheme for addressing a key challenge in dFNC analysis---determining the number of transient states. We apply our methods to resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of schizophrenia patients (SZs) and healthy controls (HCs).

Results The results show spatial variability provides more features discriminative between groups than temporal variability. A comprehensive study of graph-theoretical (GT) metrics determines the optimal number of spatial states and suggests centrality as a key metric. Four networks yield significantly different levels of involvement in SZs and HCs. The high involvement of a component that relates to multiple distributed brain regions highlights dysconnectivity in SZ. One frontoparietal component and one frontal component demonstrate higher involvement in HCs, suggesting a more efficient cognitive control system relative to SZs.

Comparison with existing methods Spatial variability is more informative than temporal variability. The proposed goal-driven scheme determines the optimal number of states in a more interpretable way by making use of discriminative features.

Conclusion GT analysis is promising in dFNC analysis as it identifies distinctive transient spatial states of dFNC and reveals unique biomedical patterns in SZs.