Dynamic spatiotemporal patterns of brain connectivity reorganize across development

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Late human development involves maturation of functional processes, white matter connections, and synaptic density.
• The interplay between whole-brain dynamics and white matter networks during neurodevelopment remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the structural connectome influences emerging cerebral dynamics between ages 6 and 33.
• To define and apply novel measures of brain dynamics: system diversity and spatiotemporal diversity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized functional and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within a spatiotemporal connectivity framework.
• Quantified brain dynamics using system diversity (functional system integration/segregation) and spatiotemporal diversity (temporal self-similarity).

Main Results:

• Observed a global increase in system diversity with age.
• Found a global decrease and local refinement in spatiotemporal diversity values as individuals aged.
• Correlated these dynamic changes with increased use of long-range/inter-system white matter connectivity and decreased short-range connectivity.

Conclusions:

• Brain functional dynamics become progressively more integrative and temporally self-similar throughout late development.
• These functional shifts are underpinned by the increasing recruitment of long-range and inter-system white matter pathways.