Static and dynamic measures of human brain connectivity predict complementary aspects of human cognitive performance

TL;DR

This study explores how static (modularity) and dynamic (flexibility) brain connectivity measures relate to different cognitive task performances, revealing their complementary roles in cognitive functioning.

Contribution

It demonstrates that modularity and flexibility are negatively correlated but uniquely predict performance on simple and complex cognitive tasks, respectively.

Findings

Flexibility and modularity are highly negatively correlated.

Modularity predicts performance on simple tasks.

Flexibility predicts performance on complex tasks.

Abstract

In cognitive network neuroscience, the connectivity and community structure of the brain network is related to cognition. Much of this research has focused on two measures of connectivity - modularity and flexibility - which frequently have been examined in isolation. By using resting state fMRI data from 52 young adults, we investigate the relationship between modularity, flexibility and performance on cognitive tasks. We show that flexibility and modularity are highly negatively correlated. However, we also demonstrate that flexibility and modularity make unique contributions to explain task performance, with modularity predicting performance for simple tasks and flexibility predicting performance on complex tasks that require cognitive control and executive functioning. The theory and results presented here allow for stronger links between measures of brain network connectivity and cognitive processes.