Comparison of whole-brain task-modulated functional connectivity methods for fMRI task connectomics

Abstract

Higher brain functions require flexible integration of information across widely distributed brain regions depending on the task context. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has provided substantial insight into large-scale intrinsic brain network organisation, yet the principles of rapid context-dependent reconfiguration of that intrinsic network organisation are much less understood. A major challenge for task connectome mapping is the absence of a gold standard for deriving whole-brain task-modulated functional connectivity matrices. Here, we perform biophysically realistic simulations to control the ground-truth task-modulated functional connectivity over a wide range of experimental settings. We reveal the best-performing methods for different types of task designs and their fundamental limitations. Importantly, we demonstrate that rapid (100 ms) modulations of oscillatory neuronal synchronisation can be recovered from sluggish haemodynamic fluctuations even at typically low fMRI temporal resolution (2 s). Finally, we provide practical recommendations on task design and statistical analysis to foster task connectome mapping. Large-scale neural mass simulations revealed best task-modulated functional connectivity methods for different fMRI designs and fundamental limitations for detecting rapid modulations of neural synchronisation based on slow haemodynamic fluctuations.