Intrinsic coupling modes reveal the functional architecture of cortico-tectal networks

Abstract

In the absence of sensory stimulation or motor output, the brain exhibits complex spatiotemporal patterns of intrinsically generated neural activity. However, little is known about how such patterns of activity are correlated between cortical and subcortical brain areas. Here, we investigate the large-scale correlation structure of ongoing cortical and superior colliculus (SC) activity across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Cortico-tectal interaction was characterized by correlated fluctuations in the amplitude of delta, spindle, low gamma and high frequency oscillations (> 100 Hz). Of these identified coupling modes, topographical patterns of high frequency coupling were the most consistent with anatomical connectivity, and reflected synchronized spiking in cortico-tectal networks. Ongoing high frequency cortico-tectal coupling was temporally governed by the phase of slow cortical oscillations. Collectively, our findings show that cortico-tectal networks can be resolved through the correlation structure of ongoing neural activity, and demonstrate the rich information conveyed by high frequency electrocorticographic signals.