Development of large-scale functional networks from birth to adulthood: A guide to the neuroimaging literature

Abstract

The development of human cognition results from the emergence of coordinated brain activity betweeen distant brain areas. Network science, combined with non-invasive functional imaging, has generated unprecedented insights regarding the adult brain’s functional organization, and promises to help elucidate the development of functional architectures supporting complex behavior. Here we review what is known about functional network development from birth until adulthood, particularly as understood through the use of resting-state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI). We attempt to synthesize rs-fcMRI findings with other functional imaging techniques, with macro-scale structural connectivity, and with knowledge regarding the development of micro-scale structure. We highlight a number of outstanding conceptual and technical barriers that need to be addressed, as well as previous developmental findings that may need to be revisited. Finally, we discuss key areas ripe for future research in order to 1) better characterize normative developmental trajectories, 2) link these trajectories to biologic mechanistic events, as well as component behaviors and 3) better understand the clinical implications and pathophysiological basis of aberrant network development.

Different brain networks underlying intelligence in autism spectrum disorders

“…Importantly, the function of network nodes may differ depending on the scale of analysis (Betzel & Bassett, ). Given also that structural connectivity correlates were not investigated in the present study, cross‐modal network analyses that integrate structural and functional data will be crucial to delineate the mechanisms of cognitive development, and how the nature and developmental trajectories of the neural correlates of cognition are altered over time in neurodevelopmental conditions (Grayson & Fair, ). Because anatomical networks determine pathways of neuronal signaling, structural network development likely precedes the complete deployment of global intrinsic functional connectivity networks underlying intellectual ability in children and adolescents.…”

“…the mechanisms of cognitive development, and how the nature and developmental trajectories of the neural correlates of cognition are altered over time in neurodevelopmental conditions(Grayson & Fair, 2017). Because anatomical networks determine pathways of neuronal signaling, structural network development likely precedes the complete deployment of global intrinsic functional connectivity networks underlying intellectual ability in children and adolescents (Petersen & Sporns, 2015;Vertes & Bullmore, 2015)…”

Adolescent Brain Development: Implications for Understanding Risk and Resilience Processes Through Neuroimaging Research

“…Furthermore, there are logistical and computational challenges such as head motion, task compliance and performance accuracy, image registration and multiple comparisons corrections, and a lack of normative data, which could introduce bias into statistical estimates and therefore result in spurious conclusions. Advanced methodological and computational approaches have improved the reliability of taskbased fMRI developmental studies (Herting, Gautam, Chen, Mezher, & Vetter, 2017), and have improved data quality (Grayson & Fair, 2017).…”

PAGANI Toolkit: Parallel graph‐theoretical analysis package for brain network big data

“…Based on the imaging connectomics framework, researchers have revealed many important topological characteristics of healthy human brain networks, including the small‐world properties, modular structure, and densely connected hubs (Bullmore & Sporns, ; Liao, Vasilakos, & He, ; Sporns & Betzel, ; van den Heuvel & Sporns, ). Moreover, imaging connectomics have been widely used to study topological changes in brain networks during development (Cao, Huang, & He, ; Cao et al, ; Keunen, Counsell, & Benders, ) and aging (Ferreira et al, ; Grayson & Fair, ; Zuo et al, ) and in neuropsychiatric disorders (Fornito, Zalesky, & Breakspear, ; Stam, ; Xia & He, ).…”

“…networks during development (Cao, Huang, & He, 2017;Cao et al, 2017;Keunen, Counsell, & Benders, 2017) and aging (Ferreira et al, 2016;Grayson & Fair, 2017;Zuo et al, 2017) and in neuropsychiatric disorders (Fornito, Zalesky, & Breakspear, 2015;Stam, 2014;Xia & He, 2011).…”