Effortful control and resting state networks: A longitudinal EEG study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Resting state networks (RSNs) are well-defined in adults, but their developmental trajectory is less understood.
• Existing research primarily uses fMRI, lacking electrophysiological data on RSN maturation.
• Longitudinal studies on RSN development in children are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the electrophysiological correlates of resting state network maturation in children.
• To examine the longitudinal changes in brain network connectivity from childhood to adulthood.
• To explore the relationship between brain network development and behavioral control (Effortful Control).

Main Methods:

• Acquired longitudinal resting state electroencephalography (EEG) data over three years from 80 children (7-9 years) and 55 adults.
• Utilized seed-based oscillatory power envelope correlation with beamformer spatial filtering to analyze the default mode network (DMN) and task-positive networks (TPNs).
• Assessed Effortful Control (EC) using parent-reported scales and analyzed its correlation with network maturation using latent growth curve modeling.

Main Results:

• Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses revealed a maturation pattern of increased long-distance connections (posterior regions) and decreased short-distance connections (prefrontal areas).
• Effortful Control scores were predicted by a linear increase in DMN integrity (alpha band) and enhanced DMN-TPN segregation (beta band) over time.
• EEG data confirmed fMRI-observed maturation changes and highlighted the role of DMN integrity and DMN-TPN segregation in attentional and behavioral control.

Conclusions:

• Brain maturation involves significant shifts in resting state network connectivity, observable through electrophysiology.
• The development of the default mode network and its segregation from task-positive networks are crucial for developing attentional and behavioral regulation.
• This study provides novel electrophysiological insights into the developmental neuroscience of brain networks and their link to cognitive control.