Functional System and Areal Organization of a Highly Sampled Individual Human Brain

• Published in: Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.) Vol. 87; no. 3; pp. 657 - 670
• Main Authors: Laumann, Timothy O., Gordon, Evan M., Adeyemo, Babatunde, Snyder, Abraham Z., Joo, Sung Jun, Chen, Mei-Yen, Gilmore, Adrian W., McDermott, Kathleen B., Nelson, Steven M., Dosenbach, Nico U.F., Schlaggar, Bradley L., Mumford, Jeanette A., Poldrack, Russell A., Petersen, Steven E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 05.08.2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Behavior; Brain - physiology; Brain Mapping - methods; Brain Mapping - standards; Brain research; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - standards; Male; Middle Aged; Neurosciences; Power; Psychomotor Performance - physiology
• ISSN: 0896-6273; 1097-4199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.06.037

Resting state functional MRI (fMRI) has enabled description of group-level functional brain organization at multiple spatial scales. However, cross-subject averaging may obscure patterns of brain organization specific to each individual. Here, we characterized the brain organization of a single individual repeatedly measured over more than a year. We report a reproducible and internally valid subject-specific areal-level parcellation that corresponds with subject-specific task activations. Highly convergent correlation network estimates can be derived from this parcellation if sufficient data are collected—considerably more than typically acquired. Notably, within-subject correlation variability across sessions exhibited a heterogeneous distribution across the cortex concentrated in visual and somato-motor regions, distinct from the pattern of intersubject variability. Further, although the individual’s systems-level organization is broadly similar to the group, it demonstrates distinct topological features. These results provide a foundation for studies of individual differences in cortical organization and function, especially for special or rare individuals. [Display omitted] •Single-subject areal parcellation is reproducible, valid, and convergent with task•Highly reliable correlation estimates require considerable data•Within-subject correlation is most variable in visual and somatosensory cortex•Individuals exhibit topological features distinct from group system organization Resting state functional MRI allows non-invasive analysis of functional brain organization at multiple spatial scales. Laumann et al. report areal and system organization in a highly sampled human and demonstrate that an individual exhibits topological features distinct from group-level system organization.