In a rare, longitudinal study, researchers from Aalto University and the University of Oulu tracked one person’s brain and behavioral activity for five months using brain scans and data from wearable devices and smartphones.
"We wanted to go beyond isolated events," says research leader Ana Triana. "Our behaviour and mental states are constantly shaped by our environment and experiences. Yet, we know little about the response of brain functional connectivity to environmental, physiological, and behavioral changes on different timescales, from days to months."
The study found that our brains do not respond to daily life in immediate, isolated bursts. Instead, brain activity evolves in response to sleep patterns, physical activity, mood, and respiration rate over many days. This suggests that even a workout or a restless night from last week could still affect your brain — and therefore your attention, cognition and memory — well into next week.
The research also revealed a strong link between heart rate variability — a measure of the heart's adaptability — and brain connectivity, particularly during rest. This suggests that impacts on our body's relaxation response, like stress management techniques, could shape our brain's wiring even when we are not actively concentrating on a task. Physical activity was also found to positively influence the way brain regions interact, potentially impacting memory and cognitive flexibility. Even subtle shifts in mood and heart rate left lasting imprints for up to fifteen days.
Beyond a Snapshot
The researchers identified two distinct response patterns: a short-term wave lasting under seven days and a long-term wave up to fifteen days. The former reflects rapid adaptations, like how focus is impacted by poor sleep, but it recovers quickly. The long wave suggests more gradual, lasting effects, particularly in areas tied to attention and memory.
Personalizing Healthcare
The researchers hope their innovative approach will inspire future studies that combine brain data with everyday life to help personalize mental health treatment. "We must bring data from daily life into the lab to see the full picture of how our habits shape the brain, but surveys can be tiring and inaccurate," says study co-author, neuroscientist and physician Dr Nick Hayward. "Combining concurrent physiology with repeated brain scans in one person is crucial. Our approach gives context to neuroscience and delivers very fine detail to our understanding of the brain."
The study is also a proof-of-concept for patient research. Tracking brain changes in real time could help detect neurological disorders early, especially mental health conditions where subtle signs might be missed. "Linking brain activity with physiological and environmental data could revolutionize personalized healthcare, opening doors for earlier interventions and better outcomes," says Triana. Findings published in PLOS Biology.
StepUp Note
Brain functional connectivity is the way that our neural networks work together, to enable us to think and live as independent adults. This important research shows the “prolonged and sustained relationship” between exercise and functional neural connectivity. It helps us understand how StepUp to Learn daily software exercises help children develop the brain connectivity they need for independent learning and problem-solving.
Note by Nancy W Rowe, MS, CCC/A
Reposted from Aalto University