Empirical evidence for structural balance theory in functional brain networks

Structural balance theory, widely used in social network research, has recently been applied to brain network studies to explore how higher-order interactions relate to neural function and dysfunction. The theory is founded on the core assumption that balanced triads, representing internally consistent relationships, are intrinsically stable, while imbalanced triads, which introduce structural tension, are unstable and tend to reconfigure toward balance. Despite its promising application, these foundational assumptions have not been empirically validated in the brain. Here, we address this gap using resting-state fMRI data from the Human Connectome Project to analyze the temporal dynamics of triadic configurations. We defined two metrics: triad lifetime, the duration a triad persists, and absolute peak energy, the maximum triadic interaction strength during that time. Balanced triads showed significantly longer lifetimes and higher peak energy than imbalanced ones, consistent with their theorized stability. Imbalanced triads were more transient and weaker, reflecting structural conflict. Comparison with surrogate null models confirmed that these patterns were not random, but reflected meaningful higher-order neural organization. The joint distribution of lifetime and energy revealed two clusters of triads aligning with strong, not weak, structural balance theory. Additionally, specific transition patterns between triadic configurations, combined with lifetime profiles, shaped the non-uniform prevalence of triadic states in brain networks. Our findings provide empirical validation of structural balance theory in brain networks and introduce dynamic measures for characterizing triadic brain interactions, together offering a framework for studying the dynamics of higher-order interactions and the stability of brain networks in health and disease.