The human brain is formed by a complex network of neural connections and most of them link neighboring brain regions, which are also the most studied to date. But a recent neuroscientific study by Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the University of Oxford, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has revealed that connections between distant brain regions, though rarer and less frequent, play a fundamental role in explaining brain dynamics.
The role of these long-range connections could be likened to those of an airport hub, which—with long-haul flights—directly connects different parts of the world without the need for stopovers, which would make the trip far longer. In the case of the brain, long-range connections serve to transmit information more quickly and directly between distant regions (without the need to go through all the successive neighboring regions that separate them). This yields optimal and efficient information processing.
The connections between distant regions of the brain are activated both spontaneously in a resting state and when performing numerous cognitive functions in our daily lives, which allow us to carry out specific tasks. For example, for as simple a task as remembering an image we have just seen, the brain connects the frontal lobe (which deals with short-term memory) with the occipital lobe, which deals with image perception.
Most studies to date have focused on short-range connections between neighboring regions
However, most previous research has focused on short-range connections, not only because they are substantially larger in number, but also because they have helped shape the geometry of the brain throughout our evolution as a species.
The fact that many parts of the brain are folded and wrinkled is precisely due to successive evolutionary movements that undertook to bring neighboring regions closer together and facilitate connections between them. That is, the actual geometry of the brain reflects the short-range connections that are established between its different parts. For this reason, the so-called geometric model has so far been one of the most commonly used to analyze brain dynamics.
However, the geometric model fails to comprehend the complexity of the dynamics of the brain as a whole, since to do so it is essential to take rare, long-range connections into account, warn the researchers in their paper.
The research is based on the construction of large-scale computational models of the brain that allow explanations of the mechanisms underlying brain dynamics. Thus, the authors have shown that when the model includes short- and long-range connections, the functional complexity of the human brain can be better understood. In this way, it overcomes the limitations of geometric models -based on short-range connections between neighboring regions- to explain the spatiotemporal dynamics that occur in the brain as a whole, beyond the functioning of specific regions.
The lead author of the article, Jakub Vohryzek (UPF), comments, “Explaining how the structure of the brain gives rise to its emerging dynamics is a primary pursuit in neuroscience. We wanted to find out what the main constraints of the configuration of brain functions were. Recently, brain connectivity and geometry have become two important features of brain architecture. Our study unifies these principles and expands on previous findings because it considers exceptional long-range connectivity as the defining characteristic that shapes human brain cognition.”
Vohryzek is currently a researcher with the Computational Neuroscience research group at the UPF Center for Brain and Cognition (CBC), led by the full professor Gustavo Deco, principal investigator of the recent study, together with Morten L. Kringelbach (University of Oxford), who supervised Vohryzek’s doctoral thesis.
This study was carried out using data on the brain activity of 255 young people in good health, obtained using magnetic resonance imaging, when performing specific tasks or in a state of rest. It was been taken from the Human Connectome Project database, where neuroscientists from around the world share results and information regarding research on brain connections.
A research line that may provide new clues as to the evolution of the species
Based on the study results, new research lines can be initiated to better understand the causes of various neuropsychiatric disorders, which may be related to long-range connection dysfunctions. The study also paves the way for learning more about the differences between the human brain and that of other animals, and for providing new clues as to the evolutionary process of the species. For example, the continuity of this line of research could shed light on how the brain of Homo sapiens was shaped and differentiated from other species, such as the apes, with which we share common ancestors.
In this regard, Gustavo Deco, director of the Computational Neuroscience research group of the CBC-UPF, concludes, “This research not only advances our understanding of how brain anatomy shapes brain dynamics, but also explores the unique contributions of rare, long-range connections. This suggests that the brain’s long-range structural connections, which play a critical role in urgent information processing, may have been shaped by evolutionary pressures, allowing complex cognitive functions to emerge.
“Evolutionary dynamics could have refined these connections to allow higher cognitive abilities. This sets the stage for interesting prospects for future comparative studies between species to elucidate these developments.”
More information:
Jakub Vohryzek et al, Human brain dynamics are shaped by rare long-range connections over and above cortical geometry, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2415102122
Citation:
Long-range connections between brain regions are scarce, but essential to speed up information transmission (2025, January 21)
retrieved 21 January 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-range-brain-regions-scarce-essential.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
The human brain is formed by a complex network of neural connections and most of them link neighboring brain regions, which are also the most studied to date. But a recent neuroscientific study by Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the University of Oxford, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has revealed that connections between distant brain regions, though rarer and less frequent, play a fundamental role in explaining brain dynamics. The role of these long-range connections could be likened to those of an airport hub, which—with long-haul flights—directly connects different parts of the world without the need for stopovers, which would make the trip far longer. In the case of the brain, long-range connections serve to transmit information more quickly and directly between distant regions (without the need to go through all the successive neighboring regions that separate them). This yields optimal and efficient information processing. The connections between distant regions of the brain are activated both spontaneously in a resting state and when performing numerous cognitive functions in our daily lives, which allow us to carry out specific tasks. For example, for as simple a task as remembering an image we have just seen, the brain connects the frontal lobe (which deals with short-term memory) with the occipital lobe, which deals with image perception. However, most previous research has focused on short-range connections, not only because they are substantially larger in number, but also because they have helped shape the geometry of the brain throughout our evolution as a species. The fact that many parts of the brain are folded and wrinkled is precisely due to successive evolutionary movements that undertook to bring neighboring regions closer together and facilitate connections between them. That is, the actual geometry of the brain reflects the short-range connections that are established between its different parts. For this reason, the so-called geometric model has so far been one of the most commonly used to analyze brain dynamics. However, the geometric model fails to comprehend the complexity of the dynamics of the brain as a whole, since to do so it is essential to take rare, long-range connections into account, warn the researchers in their paper. The research is based on the construction of large-scale computational models of the brain that allow explanations of the mechanisms underlying brain dynamics. Thus, the authors have shown that when the model includes short- and long-range connections, the functional complexity of the human brain can be better understood. In this way, it overcomes the limitations of geometric models -based on short-range connections between neighboring regions- to explain the spatiotemporal dynamics that occur in the brain as a whole, beyond the functioning of specific regions. The lead author of the article, Jakub Vohryzek (UPF), comments, “Explaining how the structure of the brain gives rise to its emerging dynamics is a primary pursuit in neuroscience. We wanted to find out what the main constraints of the configuration of brain functions were. Recently, brain connectivity and geometry have become two important features of brain architecture. Our study unifies these principles and expands on previous findings because it considers exceptional long-range connectivity as the defining characteristic that shapes human brain cognition.” Vohryzek is currently a researcher with the Computational Neuroscience research group at the UPF Center for Brain and Cognition (CBC), led by the full professor Gustavo Deco, principal investigator of the recent study, together with Morten L. Kringelbach (University of Oxford), who supervised Vohryzek’s doctoral thesis. This study was carried out using data on the brain activity of 255 young people in good health, obtained using magnetic resonance imaging, when performing specific tasks or in a state of rest. It was been taken from the Human Connectome Project database, where neuroscientists from around the world share results and information regarding research on brain connections. Based on the study results, new research lines can be initiated to better understand the causes of various neuropsychiatric disorders, which may be related to long-range connection dysfunctions. The study also paves the way for learning more about the differences between the human brain and that of other animals, and for providing new clues as to the evolutionary process of the species. For example, the continuity of this line of research could shed light on how the brain of Homo sapiens was shaped and differentiated from other species, such as the apes, with which we share common ancestors. In this regard, Gustavo Deco, director of the Computational Neuroscience research group of the CBC-UPF, concludes, “This research not only advances our understanding of how brain anatomy shapes brain dynamics, but also explores the unique contributions of rare, long-range connections. This suggests that the brain’s long-range structural connections, which play a critical role in urgent information processing, may have been shaped by evolutionary pressures, allowing complex cognitive functions to emerge. “Evolutionary dynamics could have refined these connections to allow higher cognitive abilities. This sets the stage for interesting prospects for future comparative studies between species to elucidate these developments.” More information: Citation: This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
Most studies to date have focused on short-range connections between neighboring regions
A research line that may provide new clues as to the evolution of the species
Jakub Vohryzek et al, Human brain dynamics are shaped by rare long-range connections over and above cortical geometry, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2415102122
Long-range connections between brain regions are scarce, but essential to speed up information transmission (2025, January 21)
retrieved 21 January 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-range-brain-regions-scarce-essential.html
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
