Data from: Reconfiguration of functional brain networks and metabolic cost converge during task performance

The ability to solve cognitive tasks depends upon adaptive changes in the
organization of whole-brain functional networks. However, the link between
task-induced network reconfigurations and their underlying energy demands
is poorly understood. We address this by multimodal network analyses
integrating functional and molecular neuroimaging acquired concurrently
during a complex cognitive task. Task engagement elicited a marked
increase in the association between glucose consumption and functional
brain network reorganization. This convergence between metabolic and
neural processes was specific to feedforward connections linking the
visual and dorsal attention networks, in accordance with task requirements
of visuo-spatial reasoning. Further increases in cognitive load above
initial task engagement did not affect the relationship between metabolism
and network reorganization but only modulated existing interactions. Our
findings show how the upregulation of key computational mechanisms to
support cognitive performance unveils the complex, interdependent changes
in neural metabolism and neuro-vascular responses.