From modular to centralized organization of synchronization in functional areas of the cat cerebral cortex

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the organization of neural synchronization in the cat cerebral cortex transitions from a decentralized modular pattern to a centralized regime, emphasizing the role of topological connectivity and Rich-Club structures.

Contribution

It introduces a simple phase-coupled oscillator model to analyze the impact of cortical connectivity on synchronization patterns in the cat brain.

Findings

Synchronization shifts from modular to centralized organization.

Rich-Club connectivity influences global synchronization.

Topological connectivity impacts neural coherence.

Abstract

Recent studies have pointed out the importance of transient synchronization between widely distributed neural assemblies to understand conscious perception. These neural assemblies form intricate networks of neurons and synapses whose detailed map for mammals is still unknown and far from our experimental capabilities. Only in a few cases, for example the C. elegans, we know the complete mapping of the neuronal tissue or its mesoscopic level of description provided by cortical areas. Here we study the process of transient and global synchronization using a simple model of phase-coupled oscillators assigned to cortical areas in the cerebral cat cortex. Our results highlight the impact of the topological connectivity in the developing of synchronization, revealing a transition in the synchronization organization that goes from a modular decentralized coherence to a centralized synchronized regime controlled by a few cortical areas forming a Rich-Club connectivity pattern.