# Cognitive Significance of Functional Connectome States

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · 2021 · $479,729

## Abstract

Summary
The functional connectome reflects the endogenous pattern of information exchange among brain regions.
However, the role of this fundamental network organization in mental disorders remains elusive, in part
because its function in healthy cognition is largely unknown. The urgent need and translational importance of
closing this knowledge gap is reflected in the NIMH’s strategic objective 1.3 to “map the connectomes for
mental illnesses”. The functional connectome is traditionally observed using functional Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (fMRI), since this method provides a means of investigating neural connections across the whole brain
with high spatial resolution. As observed with fMRI, functional connectivity is not static, instead shifting
between various network configurations. While this connectome flexibility is well-documented, its relation to
moment-to-moment cognition is unknown. To better understand this relationship, novel experimental
paradigms must be developed to characterize the contribution of connectome reconfigurations to trial-by-trial
behavioral variability. Additionally, since fMRI is an indirect measure of neural activity and prone to artifacts, the
fidelity of connectome dynamics should be established using a more direct measure of neural activity
(Electroencephalography, EEG) concurrently with fMRI. The current project uses simultaneous fMRI and EEG
to characterize intrinsic connectome states and relate them to concurrent cognitive processes. In the current
study we look to address three aims: 1) to identify cognitively significant connectome states by their impact on
behavior, 2) to identify such states in the resting brain and quantify their temporal flexibility, and 3) to link this
connectome flexibility to cognitive flexibility, the ability to shift among tasks and mental sets. We expect to find
distinct and behaviorally relevant connectome states differing in two measures: level of global integration
among networks and involvement of the default mode network (DMN). Further, we posit that connectome
flexibility, the spontaneous iterations among the identified connectome states, predicts individual differences in
cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility is a trait implicated in numerous psychopathologies. A link between this
function and connectome flexibility would have a broad clinical impact, establishing which dynamic
connectome features are most promising for future biomarkers and treatment targets.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10219792
- **Project number:** 5R01MH116226-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- **Principal Investigator:** Sepideh Sadaghiani
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $479,729
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10219792

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10219792, Cognitive Significance of Functional Connectome States (5R01MH116226-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10219792. Licensed CC0.

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