Unique developmental trajectories of cortical thickness and surface area

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Cortical volume and thickness development timing varies across the brain.
• Regional developmental trajectories of cortical surface area remain undescribed.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for comprehending brain development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe regional developmental trajectories of cortical surface area in typically developing children and adolescents.
• To compare developmental patterns of cortical surface area, volume, and thickness.
• To investigate potential differences in the underlying developmental processes.

Main Methods:

• Combined cross-sectional and longitudinal design using 201 MRI scans from 135 participants.
• Scans processed with FreeSurfer and the Desikan-Killiany atlas.
• Developmental trajectories estimated using mixed-effects modeling.

Main Results:

• Cortical thickness showed linear decreases with age in most regions.
• Cortical volume and surface area exhibited curvilinear trajectories, with maximum surface area occurring later than maximum volume.
• Gender differences were more pronounced in volume and surface area than in thickness.

Conclusions:

• Developmental trajectories of cortical surface area and thickness differ in pattern and timing.
• These trajectories also differ from that of global cortical volume.
• Findings suggest distinct underlying processes drive the development of surface area and thickness.