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Neurodevelopmental trajectories of the human cerebral cortex
Philip Shaw1, Noor J Kabani, Jason P Lerch
1Child Psychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. shawp@mail.nih.gov
Summary
Neuroscience research reveals that cerebral cortex development complexity mirrors its structural organization. Simpler cortical areas show simpler growth, while complex areas exhibit intricate developmental trajectories, offering evolutionary insights.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Comparative Neuroanatomy
Background:
- Cerebral cortex organization is a key neuroscience challenge.
- Traditional architectonic maps rely on postmortem tissue, distinguishing areas by laminar complexity.
- These maps differentiate between less complex agranular limbic areas and more complex granular association/sensory cortex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To link traditional structural maps of the cerebral cortex with developmental data.
- To investigate in vivo cortical growth patterns in typically developing children and young adults.
- To explore the evolutionary significance of differing cortical developmental trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal analysis of 764 neuroanatomic magnetic resonance images from 375 individuals.
- In vivo measurement of cortical thickness changes during development.
- Correlation of developmental trajectories with established architectonic maps.
Main Results:
- Cortical growth complexity varies across the cerebrum, aligning with architectonic maps.
- Regions with simple laminar architecture (e.g., limbic areas) exhibit simpler growth patterns.
- Complex areas (polysensory, association cortex) show more complex developmental trajectories, with some unique to primates.
Conclusions:
- Developmental complexity of the cerebral cortex reflects its structural and evolutionary history.
- Simple cortical areas likely evolved early in mammals, while complex areas expanded in primates.
- Mapping peak cortical thickness age reveals dynamic, heterochronous maturation of the cerebral cortex.
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