Brain network dynamics during working memory are modulated by dopamine and diminished in schizophrenia

Urs Braun (), Anais Harneit, Giulio Pergola, Tommaso Menara, Axel Schäfer, Richard F. Betzel, Zhenxiang Zang, Janina I. Schweiger, Xiaolong Zhang, Kristina Schwarz, Junfang Chen, Giuseppe Blasi, Alessandro Bertolino, Daniel Durstewitz, Fabio Pasqualetti, Emanuel Schwarz, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Danielle S. Bassett and Heike Tost
Additional contact information
Urs Braun: University of Heidelberg
Anais Harneit: University of Heidelberg
Giulio Pergola: University of Bari Aldo Moro
Tommaso Menara: University of California at Riverside
Axel Schäfer: Justus Liebig University Giessen
Richard F. Betzel: Indiana University
Zhenxiang Zang: University of Heidelberg
Janina I. Schweiger: University of Heidelberg
Xiaolong Zhang: University of Heidelberg
Kristina Schwarz: University of Heidelberg
Junfang Chen: University of Heidelberg
Giuseppe Blasi: University of Bari Aldo Moro
Alessandro Bertolino: University of Bari Aldo Moro
Daniel Durstewitz: University of Heidelberg
Fabio Pasqualetti: University of California at Riverside
Emanuel Schwarz: University of Heidelberg
Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg: University of Heidelberg
Danielle S. Bassett: University of Pennsylvania
Heike Tost: University of Heidelberg

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Dynamical brain state transitions are critical for flexible working memory but the network mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we show that working memory performance entails brain-wide switching between activity states using a combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging in healthy controls and individuals with schizophrenia, pharmacological fMRI, genetic analyses and network control theory. The stability of states relates to dopamine D1 receptor gene expression while state transitions are influenced by D2 receptor expression and pharmacological modulation. Individuals with schizophrenia show altered network control properties, including a more diverse energy landscape and decreased stability of working memory representations. Our results demonstrate the relevance of dopamine signaling for the steering of whole-brain network dynamics during working memory and link these processes to schizophrenia pathophysiology.

Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-23694-9

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23694-9

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