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Article
Catecholaminergic neuromodulation shapes intrinsic MRI functional connectivity in the human brain
Journal of Neuroscience
  • Ruud L. van den Brink, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition
  • Thomas Pfeffer, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
  • Christopher M. Warren, Utah State University
  • Peter R. Murphy, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition
  • Klodiana-Daphne Tona, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition
  • Nic J. van der Wee, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition
  • Eric Giltay, Leiden University Medical Centre
  • Martijn S. van Noorden, Leiden University Medical Center
  • Serge A. Rombouts, Leiden University
  • Tobias H. Donner, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
  • Sander Nieuwenhuis, Leiden University
Document Type
Article
Publisher
Society for Neuroscience
Publication Date
7-27-2016
Disciplines
Abstract

The brain commonly exhibits spontaneous (i.e., in the absence of a task) fluctuations in neural activity that are correlated across brain regions. It has been established that the spatial structure, or topography, of these intrinsic correlations is in part determined by the fixed anatomical connectivity between regions. However, it remains unclear which factors dynamically sculpt this topography as a function of brain state. Potential candidate factors are subcortical catecholaminergic neuromodulatory systems, such as the locus ceruleus-norepinephrine system, which send diffuse projections to most parts of the forebrain. Here, we systematically characterized the effects of endogenous central neuromodulation on correlated fluctuations during rest in the human brain. Using a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design, we pharmacologically increased synaptic catecholamine levels by administering atomoxetine, an NE transporter blocker, and examined the effects on the strength and spatial structure of resting-state MRI functional connectivity. First, atomoxetine reduced the strength of inter-regional correlations across three levels of spatial organization, indicating that catecholamines reduce the strength of functional interactions during rest. Second, this modulatory effect on intrinsic correlations exhibited a substantial degree of spatial specificity: the decrease in functional connectivity showed an anterior-posterior gradient in the cortex, depended on the strength of baseline functional connectivity, and was strongest for connections between regions belonging to distinct resting-state networks. Thus, catecholamines reduce intrinsic correlations in a spatially heterogeneous fashion. We conclude that neuromodulation is an important factor shaping the topography of intrinsic functional connectivity.

Citation Information
Van den Brink, R. L., Pfeffer, T., Warren, C. M., Murphy, P., Tona, K. D., van der Wee, N. J., Giltay, E.J., van Noorden, Rombouts, S., Donner, T., & Nieuwenhuis, S. (2016). Catecholaminergic neuromodulation shapes intrinsic MRI functional connectivity in the human brain. Journal of Neuroscience, 36(30), 7865-7876.