title: State-related changes in MEG functional connectivity reveal the task-positive sensorimotor network.
abstract: Functional connectivity measures applied to magnetoencephalography (MEG) data have the capacity to elucidate neuronal networks. However, the task-related modulation of these measures is essential to identifying the functional relevance of the identified network. In this study, we provide evidence for the efficacy of measuring "state-related" (i.e., task vs. rest) changes in MEG functional connectivity for revealing a sensorimotor network. We investigate changes in functional connectivity, measured as cortico-cortical coherence (CCC), between rest blocks and the performance of a visually directed motor task in a healthy cohort. Task-positive changes in CCC were interpreted in the context of any concomitant modulations in spectral power. Task-related increases in whole-head CCC relative to the resting state were identified between areas established as part of the sensorimotor network as well as frontal eye fields and prefrontal cortices, predominantly in the beta and gamma frequency bands. This study provides evidence for the use of MEG to identify task-specific functionally connected sensorimotor networks in a non-invasive, patient friendly manner.
authors.affiliation: Medical Devices Portfolio, National Research Council, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Tim.Bardouille@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bardouille
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015225:Magnetoencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult