Scale-free dynamics in the core-periphery topography and task alignment decline from conscious to unconscious states

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Abstract

Scale-free physiological processes are ubiquitous in the human organism. Resting-state functional MRI studies observed the loss of scale-free dynamics under anesthesia. In contrast, the modulation of scale-free dynamics during task-related activity remains an open question. We investigate scale-free dynamics in the cerebral cortex’s unimodal periphery and transmodal core topography in rest and task states during three conscious levels (awake, sedation, and anesthesia) complemented by computational modelling (Stuart-Landau model). The empirical findings demonstrate that the loss of the brain’s intrinsic scale-free dynamics in the core-periphery topography during anesthesia, where pink noise transforms into white noise, disrupts the brain’s neuronal alignment with the task’s temporal structure. The computational model shows that the stimuli’s scale-free dynamics, namely pink noise distinguishes from brown and white noise, also modulate task-related activity. Together, we provide evidence for two mechanisms of consciousness, temporo-spatial nestedness and alignment, suggested by the Temporo-Spatial Theory of Consciousness (TTC).

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Klar, P., Çatal, Y., Langner, R., Huang, Z., & Northoff, G. (2023). Scale-free dynamics in the core-periphery topography and task alignment decline from conscious to unconscious states. Communications Biology, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04879-y

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