Future perspectives of functional connectivity: Advances in data acquisition and analysis

This chapter explores future perspectives in brain functional connectivity analysis using functional MRI (fMRI). We begin by reviewing recent advancements in MRI data acquisition that enhance connectivity studies, including improvements in spatial and temporal resolution, reduction of susceptibility artifacts, and the use of multiecho imaging. We also highlight the potential of molecular imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), to capture diverse neurophysiological signals, including neurotransmitter dynamics. The chapter then examines various experimental designs for fMRI—resting-state, task-based, and naturalistic paradigms—discussing their respective advantages and limitations for connectivity analysis. We review modeling approaches tailored to different experimental contexts and address key challenges and opportunities in the field, particularly regarding the spatial and temporal constraints of blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signals and the complexity of inferring causal interactions. The growing interest in individualized connectivity analysis is discussed as a promising avenue toward precision mapping of brain networks. Finally, we consider the methodological and conceptual challenges of comparative studies aimed at bridging human and animal models of brain connectivity.