Developmental Trajectories of Perinatal Resting-State fMRI dynamics

Project description & Background

This project aims to investigate the maturation of brain functional dynamics during the perinatal period by for example applying Co-Activation Pattern (CAP) analysis [1,2] to resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data such as the Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) [3].

Co-Activation Patterns (CAPs) are a powerful approach within the broader framework of dynamic functional connectivity, offering insight into transient, recurring brain states that occur over time during rest. CAPs allow us to capture the rich temporal structure of brain activity by identifying discrete moments of coordinated activation across brain regions, providing a dynamic fingerprint of neural activity that may evolve with age and developmental stage.

The primary goal is to examine how CAPs vary across post-menstrual age, characterizing changes in their spatial distribution, temporal occurrence, and network-level organization. Group-level comparisons across age bins will allow for the identification of CAPs that evolve with age, potentially reflecting the emergence of key functional systems [4,5] such as the default mode, sensorimotor, and attention networks.

Requirements

  • Interest in neuroscience and fMRI
  • Knowledge of Python or MATLAB, preferably with demonstrated previous projects

Please contact hamza.kebiri@unige.ch with your CV & short statement of interests (in the email).

References

  • [1] Liu, Xiao, and Jeff H. Duyn. “Time-varying functional network information extracted from brief instances of spontaneous brain activity.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 110.11 (2013): 4392-4397.
  • [2] Bolton, T. A., Tuleasca, C., Wotruba, D., Rey, G., Dhanis, H., Gauthier, B., … & Van De Ville, D. (2020). TbCAPs: A toolbox for co-activation pattern analysis. Neuroimage, 211, 116621.
  • [3] Fitzgibbon, S. P. et al. (2020). The developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) automated resting-state functional processing framework for newborn infants. NeuroImage, 223, 117303.
  • [4] Doria, V. et al. (2010). Emergence of resting state networks in the preterm human brain. PNAS, 107(46), 20015–20020.
  • [5] Hu, Huiqing, Rhodri Cusack, and Lorina Naci. “Typical and disrupted brain circuitry for conscious awareness in full-term and preterm infants.” Brain communications 4.2 (2022): fcac071.