Enhancing Task fMRI Preprocessing via Individualized Model-Based Filtering of Intrinsic Activity Dynamics
AbstractBrain responses recorded during fMRI are thought to reflect both rapid, stimulus-evoked activity and the propagation of spontaneous activity through brain networks. In the current work we describe a method to improve the estimation of task-evoked brain activity by first “filtering-out” the intrinsic propagation of pre-event activity from the BOLD signal. We do so using Mesoscale Individualized NeuroDynamic (MINDy; [1]) models built from individualized resting-state data (MINDy-based Filtering). After filtering, time-series are analyzed using conventional techniques. Results demonstrate that this simple operation significantly improves the statistical power and temporal precision of estimated group-level effects. Moreover, estimates based upon our technique better generalize between tasks measuring the same construct (cognitive control) and better predict individual differences in behavior. Thus, by subtracting the propagation of previous activity, we obtain better estimates of task-related neural activity.