Studying the Distinction between Emotions in fMRI Data by Using Temporal Network Theory

Our purpose in this study was to investigate the distinction between emotional states and the performance of the brain during different feelings by using temporal network theory. For investigating the distinction between emotions, we chose functional magnetic resonance imaging data acquired during the display of an emotional audio-movie. In order to derive dynamic functional connectivity and create time-graphlets, we used spatial distance method and for studying the features of the temporal network, we applied different temporal network measures. Considering statistical comparisons, two global measures of temporal efficiency and reachability latency showed a significant difference between at least one pair of emotional states and we observed different meaningful regions in each temporal centrality measure. The results of this analytic method showed that the brain network pattern during the expression of different emotional states is different compared to one another and also varies through time.