Dynamic models of large-scale brain activity

• Published in: Nature neuroscience Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 340 - 352
• Main Author: Breakspear, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Nature Publishing Group US 01.03.2017; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 59/36; 631/114/2397; 631/378/116/2393; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animals; Behavioral Sciences; Biological Techniques; Biomedicine; Brain - physiology; Brain research; Cognition - physiology; Dynamical systems; Humans; Medical imaging; Models, Neurological; Movement - physiology; Nerve Net - physiology; Neurobiology; Neuroimaging; Neurons; Neurons - physiology; Neurophysiology; Neurosciences; review-article; System theory; Velocity; United States; Queensland Australia; Australia
• ISSN: 1097-6256; 1546-1726
• DOI: 10.1038/nn.4497

Cognitive activity requires the collective behavior of cortical, thalamic and spinal neurons across large-scale systems of the CNS. This paper provides an illustrated introduction to dynamic models of large-scale brain activity, from the tenets of the underlying theory to challenges, controversies and recent breakthroughs. Movement, cognition and perception arise from the collective activity of neurons within cortical circuits and across large-scale systems of the brain. While the causes of single neuron spikes have been understood for decades, the processes that support collective neural behavior in large-scale cortical systems are less clear and have been at times the subject of contention. Modeling large-scale brain activity with nonlinear dynamical systems theory allows the integration of experimental data from multiple modalities into a common framework that facilitates prediction, testing and possible refutation. This work reviews the core assumptions that underlie this computational approach, the methodological framework that fosters the translation of theory into the laboratory, and the emerging body of supporting evidence. While substantial challenges remain, evidence supports the view that collective, nonlinear dynamics are central to adaptive cortical activity. Likewise, aberrant dynamic processes appear to underlie a number of brain disorders.