![[2602.18715] A Data-Driven Method to Map the Functional Organisation of Human Brain White Matter](https://arxiv.org/static/browse/0.3.4/images/arxiv-logo-fb.png){kind=logo}
[2602.18715] A Data-Driven Method to Map the Functional Organisation of Human Brain White Matter
Summary
This article presents a data-driven method to map the functional organization of human brain white matter, integrating diffusion and functional MRI techniques to enhance understanding of neural communication and cognitive aging.
Why It Matters
Understanding the functional organization of white matter is crucial for insights into brain connectivity, especially in the context of aging and cognitive decline. This research provides a novel framework that could inform future studies on neurological health and interventions.
Key Takeaways
- The study integrates diffusion MRI and functional MRI to explore white matter pathways.
- A new framework, Track-DFC, is introduced to analyze functional connectivity.
- Findings indicate age-related declines in functional coupling strength and variability.
- Specific white matter clusters are linked to cognitive performance in aging.
- This research offers a tool for studying brain aging and cognitive decline.
Quantitative Biology > Neurons and Cognition arXiv:2602.18715 (q-bio) [Submitted on 21 Feb 2026] Title:A Data-Driven Method to Map the Functional Organisation of Human Brain White Matter Authors:Yifei Sun, James M. Shine, Robert D. Sanders, Robin F. H. Cash, Sharon L. Naismith, Fernando Calamante, Jinglei Lv View a PDF of the paper titled A Data-Driven Method to Map the Functional Organisation of Human Brain White Matter, by Yifei Sun and 6 other authors View PDF Abstract:The white matter of the brain is organised into axonal bundles that support long-range neural communication. Although diffusion MRI (dMRI) enables detailed mapping of these pathways through tractography, how white matter pathways directly facilitate large-scale neural synchronisation remains poorly understood. We developed a data-driven framework that integrates dMRI and functional MRI (fMRI) to model the dynamic coupling supported by white matter tracks. Specifically, we employed track dynamic functional connectivity (Track-DFC) to characterise functional coupling of remote grey matter connected by individual white matter tracks. Using independent component analysis followed by k-medoids clustering, we derived functionally-coherent clusters of white matter tracks from the Human Connectome Project young adult cohort. When applied to the HCP ageing cohort, these clusters exhibited widespread age-related declines in both functional coupling strength and temporal variability. Importantly, specific clusters e...
