title: Controllability of structural brain networks.
abstract: Cognitive function is driven by dynamic interactions between large-scale neural circuits or networks, enabling behaviour. However, fundamental principles constraining these dynamic network processes have remained elusive. Here we use tools from control and network theories to offer a mechanistic explanation for how the brain moves between cognitive states drawn from the network organization of white matter microstructure. Our results suggest that densely connected areas, particularly in the default mode system, facilitate the movement of the brain to many easily reachable states. Weakly connected areas, particularly in cognitive control systems, facilitate the movement of the brain to difficult-to-reach states. Areas located on the boundary between network communities, particularly in attentional control systems, facilitate the integration or segregation of diverse cognitive systems. Our results suggest that structural network differences between cognitive circuits dictate their distinct roles in controlling trajectories of brain network function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.|Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasqualetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cieslak
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.|Translational Neuroscience Branch, Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland 20783, USA.
authors.forename: Qawi K
authors.initials: QK
authors.lastname: Telesford
authors.affiliation: Translational Neuroscience Branch, Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland 20783, USA.
authors.forename: Alfred B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Ari E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Medaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.|Translational Neuroscience Branch, Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland 20783, USA.
authors.forename: Jean M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vettel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
authors.forename: Scott T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Grafton
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.|Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bassett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult