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# Hierarchical overlapping modular structure in the human cerebral cortex improves individual identification

## Details

**Authors** Fan et al.

**Year** 2023

**Publisher** iScience

**Discipline** Neuroscience

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106575) 
10.1016/j.isci.2023.106575

## In authors' words

### Abstract

The idea that brain networks have a hierarchical modular organization is pervasive. Increasing evidence suggests that brain modules overlap. However, little is known about the hierarchical overlapping modular structure in the brain. In this study, we developed a framework to uncover brain hierarchical overlapping modular structures based on a nested-spectral partition algorithm and an edge-centric network model. Overlap degree between brain modules is symmetrical across hemispheres, with highest overlap observed in the control and salience/ventral attention networks. Furthermore, brain edges are clustered into two groups: intrasystem and intersystem edges, to form hierarchical overlapping modules. At different levels, modules are self-similar in the degree of overlap. Additionally, the brain's hierarchical structure contains more individual identifiable information than a single-level structure, particularly in the control and salience/ventral attention networks. Our results offer pathways for future studies aimed at relating the organization of hierarchical overlapping modules to brain cognitive behavior and disorders.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

To characterise hierarchical overlapping modular structure in the human cortex, going beyond models that treat brain modules as non-overlapping.

### What they found (results)

A nested-spectral partition algorithm combined with an edge-centric network model revealed hierarchical overlapping modules in cortex whose overlap structure is self-similar across hierarchical levels and symmetrical across hemispheres, with the control and salience/ventral attention networks contributing the most overlap. The hierarchical structure improved individual identifiability.

## Commentary

### In short

The cortical functional network is nested modules in which large communities (wholes) recursively decompose into self-similar sub-modules (parts).

**Patterns it shows** S

**Added** 2026-08-01

**How to cite this** Fan et al. (2023). Hierarchical overlapping modular structure in the human cerebral cortex improves individual identification. iScience.