Human Brain and Behavior Laboratory

Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences

Metastability in the Brain J.A.S. Kelso E. Tognoli

kelso@ccs.fau.edu

tognoli@ccs.fau.edu

http://www.ccs.fau.edu/section_links/HBBLv2/

 What are the coordination laws at work in the brain to organize the activity of its numerous and heterogeneous components? Kelsos approach: Coordination Dynamics transcends levels of behavior, brain and groups of brains (societies)

Our essay today: The principle of metastability observed in the extended HKB model applies to brain dynamics (Kelso, 1995; Friston, 1997; Bressler and Kelso,
2001; Fingelkurts & Fingelkurts, 2004; Perez-Velazquez & Wennberg, 2004;
Werner, 2006).

Metastability: from L. meta- beyond and -stabilis able to stand

Initial HKB model: Extended HKB model: Symmetry of the Symmetry-breaking components

f = dw - a sinf - 2b sin (2f) + Qxt

Metastability End of states, only transients atand predefined tendencies

The control parameter did not change times to create a succession of states and transitions.

1 stable fixed point,

This metastable regime corresponds to fixed Notice the transient inflexion at the ghost of the annihilated parameters of the model.
fixed point

1 unstable fixed point

The tendency of the trajectory to bend to horizontal (tendency to integrate, 2 stable fixed points, reminiscent of state) or vertical (tendency to 2 unstable fixed points segregate, reminiscent of transition) is inherent.
multistability

segregation

integration

information

Cognition Awake resting state

Schizophrenia Autism

Epilepsy Cn segregation integration

 Symmetry breaking. Heterogeneity of Symmetry the coordinating elements.

f = - a sinf - 2b sin (2f)

Disappearance of fixed points

Broken exploration of various Dynamical Symmetry regions in the attractor landscape.

f = dw - a sinf - 2b sin (2f)

Metastability in the Brain empirical evidence - predictions

Measuring metastability in the brain

Segregation

Integration

Metastability

Escape time

Dwell time

Escape time

Coordination in the brain is like a Balanchine ballet. Neural groups briefly couple, some join as others leave, new groups form and dissolve, creating fleeting dynamical coordination patterns of mind that are always meaningful but dont stick around for very long. Kelso & Engstrm (2006) The Complementary Nature.

How to recognize metastability?

Associated signs
Level of coordinating elements: -Frequency altered by the coupling: shift/broadening of the spectrum Level of the system:

-Increased phase coherence between the coordinating elements

Provided the ability to measure accurately the oscillations of the coordinating elements
Collective variable proper

(spatial resolution, identification of stationary segments, idling vs active coupling)

-Relative phase between the coordinating elements

p 0 -p -2p p 0

Escape time

Dwell time

-p -2p

How to distinguish metastability from state/transition

Phase scattering

Bressler & Kelso, 0 Dwell and escape TICS, 2001 -p times

-2p

p 0 -p -2p

Rodriguez et al, Nature, 1999 not met Stationarity [EEG, PLV]

[LFP, Coherence]

Advantages arising from a metastable regime

1. Coordination extended to a larger range of applicable systems: broken symmetry, heterogeneity of the components 2. Speed: no need for a disengagement mechanism (phase scattering) to leave the attractor(s ghost) 3. Flexibility: a series of attracting tendencies can be visited dynamically over the time course of the Coordination Variable 4. Balance integration~segregation: situates the system in the range of maximal information

Metastability in the Brain

Acknowledgments:

GC. De Guzman Gautam Vallabha