Structural-Functional Brain Network Coupling During Task Performance Reveals Intelligence-Relevant Communication Strategies

Abstract

Intelligence is a broad mental capability influencing human performance across tasks. Individual differences in intelligence have been linked to characteristics of structural and functional brain networks. Here, we consider their alignment, the structural-functional brain network coupling (SC-FC coupling) during resting state and during active cognition, to predict general intelligence. Using DWI and fMRI data from 764 participants of the Human Connectome Project (Replication: N1=126, N2=180), we modelled SC-FC coupling with similarity and communication measures that capture functional interactions unfolding on top of structural brain networks. By accounting for variations in brain region-specific neural signaling strategies, we show that individual differences in SC-FC coupling patterns predict individual intelligence scores. Most accurate predictions resulted from cognitively demanding tasks and task combinations. Our study suggests the existence of an intrinsic SC-FC coupling organization enabling fine-drawn intelligence-relevant adaptations that support efficient information processing by facilitating brain region-specific adjustment to external task demands.