Exploring the Correlation Between M/EEG Source-Space and fMRI Networks at Rest.

Magneto/electro-encephalography (M/EEG) source connectivity is an emerging approach to estimate brain networks with high temporal and spatial resolutions. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of functional connectivity (FC) methods on the correlation between M/EEG source-space and fMRI networks at rest. Two main FC families are tested: (i) FC methods that do not remove zero-lag connectivity including Phase Locking Value (PLV) and Amplitude Envelope Correlation (AEC) and (ii) FC methods that remove zero-lag connections such as Phase Lag Index (PLI) and two orthogonalisation approaches combined with PLV (PLVCol, PLVPas) and AEC (AECCol, AECPas). Methods are evaluated on resting state M/EEG signals recorded from healthy participants at rest (N = 74). Networks obtained by each FC method are compared with fMRI networks (obtained from the Human Connectome Project). Results show low correlations for all FC methods, however PLV and AEC networks are significantly correlated with fMRI networks (ρ = 0.12, p = 1.93 × 10-8 and ρ = 0.06, p = 0.007, respectively), while other methods are not. These observations are consistent for all M/EEG frequency bands and for different FC matrices threshold. Our main message is to be careful in selecting FC methods when comparing or combining M/EEG with fMRI. We consider that more comparative studies based on simulation and real data and at different levels (node, module or sub networks) are still needed in order to improve our understanding on the relationships between M/EEG source-space networks and fMRI networks at rest.

Decreased integration of EEG source-space networks in disorders of consciousness.

Increasing evidence links disorders of consciousness (DOC) with disruptions in functional connectivity between distant brain areas. However, to which extent the balance of brain network segregation and integration is modified in DOC patients remains unclear. Using high-density electroencephalography (EEG), the objective of our study was to characterize the local and global topological changes of DOC patients' functional brain networks. Resting state high-density-EEG data were collected and analyzed from 82 participants: 61 DOC patients recovering from coma with various levels of consciousness (EMCS (n = 6), MCS+ (n = 29), MCS- (n = 17) and UWS (n = 9)), and 21 healthy subjects (i.e., controls). Functional brain networks in five different EEG frequency bands and the broadband signal were estimated using an EEG connectivity approach at the source level. Graph theory-based analyses were used to evaluate their relationship with decreasing levels of consciousness as well as group differences between healthy volunteers and DOC patient groups. Results showed that networks in DOC patients are characterized by impaired global information processing (network integration) and increased local information processing (network segregation) as compared to controls. The large-scale functional brain networks had integration decreasing with lower level of consciousness.