HOI-NET - Characterizing higher-order interactions in brain networks during social comparison in internalizing disorders

• CRONOS project-team, Centre Inria d'Université Côte d'Azur, Inria (France)
• Universidad de la República (Uruguay)
• Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) (Chile)

This project aims to characterize the higher-order interactions (HOIS) within the default mode network (DMN) and other networks during upward and downward social comparison in individuals with symptoms of depression and social anxiety. The ultimate goal is to advance our understanding of internalizing disorders by capturing the collective informational dynamics of the brain beyond pairwise connectivity. By applying multivariate information-theoretic measures using the THOI library and whole-brain modelling techniques to analyze and explain mechanistically existing fMRI data, we seek to:

1. Quantify and compare synergistic and redundant neural patterns associated with social comparison between individuals with internalizing symptoms and healthy controls.
2. Identify distributed brain subsystems whose collective dynamics provide signatures linked to negative affect, self-esteem, and social avoidance.
3. Use whole-brain modelling frameworks based on biophysical models to explain these alterations mechanistically.
4. Foster collaboration, innovation, and the creation of research networks among the three countries involved.

In Francia: 

• Rodrigo Cofré, researcher, HOI-NET coordinator, CRONOS project-team, Centre Inria d'Université Côte d'Azur, Inria, Inria
• Samuel Deslauriers-Gauthier, researcher, CRONOS project-team, Centre Inria d'Université Côte d'Azur, Inria, Inria
• Parker Rice, PhD student, CRONOS project-team, Centre Inria d'Université Côte d'Azur, Inria, Inria

In Chile: 

• Ana María Castro-Laguardia, PhD student, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez
• Josefina Cruzat Grand, researcher, HOI-NET coordinator, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez
• Daniel Franco O'Byrne, postdoctoral researcher, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez
• Hernán Hernández-Larzábal, researcher, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez
• Vicente Medel, researcher, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez
• Enzo Tagliazucchi, researcher, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez

In Uruguay: 

• Francisco Bonino, MSc student, Universidad de la República
• Álvaro Cabana, researcher, Universidad de la República
• Francisco Cervantes, researcher, Universidad de la República
• Favio Dauría, MSc student, Universidad de la República
• Victoria Gradin, researcher, HOI-NET coordinator, Universidad de la República
• Sebastián Morales, PhD student, Universidad de la República