The Rich Get Richer: Brain Injury Elicits Hyperconnectivity in Core Subnetworks

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104021
• Publication Date: 2014-08-14T18:39:16Z
• Authors: Frank G. Hillary; Sarah M. Rajtmajer; Cristina A. Roman; John D. Medaglia; Julia E. Slocomb-...; Vincent D. Calhoun; David C. Good; Glenn R. Wylie
• Keywords: Nerve net; Brain mapping

There remains much unknown about how large-scale neural networks accommodate neurological disruption, such as moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). A primary goal in this study was to examine the alterations network topology occurring during first year of recovery following TBI. To do so we examined 21 individuals with TBI at 3 6 months after resolution posttraumatic amnesia 15 age- education-matched healthy adults using functional MRI graph theoretical analyses. were two central hypotheses study: 1) physical disruption results increased connectivity, or hyperconnectivity, 2) hyperconnectivity occurs regions typically observed be most highly connected cortical hubs, "rich club". The current findings generally support hypothesis showing that TBI, show change is disproportionately represented belonging brain's core subnetworks. selective increases connectivity here are consistent preferential attachment model underlying scale-free development. This largest its kind provides unique opportunity systems adapt significant injury.