Development of the brain network control theory and its implications

Abstract

Brain network control theory (NCT) is a groundbreaking field in neuroscience that employs system engineering and cybernetics principles to elucidate and manipulate brain dynamics. This review examined the development and applications of NCT over the past decade. We highlighted how NCT has been effectively utilized to model brain dynamics, offering new insights into cognitive control, brain development, the pathophysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders, and neuromodulation. Additionally, we summarized the practical implementation of NCT using the nctpy package. We also presented the doubts and challenges associated with NCT and efforts made to provide better empirical validations and biological underpinnings. Finally, we outlined future directions for NCT, covering its development and applications.

Keywords

brain network control theory / neuroscience / brain dynamics / cognitive control / neuromodulation

Author contributions

Zhoukang Wu (Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing), Liangjiecheng Huang (Investigation, Methodology, Writing - review & editing), Min Wang (Investigation, Writing - review & editing), and Xiaosong He (Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Writing - review & editing)

Conflict of interest statement

None declare.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Research Start-up Fund of USTC, National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 82271491) and National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFC3341302).

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