Developmental trajectories of the default mode, frontoparietal, and salience networks from the third trimester...

The default mode (DMN), frontoparietal (FPN), and salience (SN) networks interact to support a range of behaviors, are vulnerable to environmental insults, and are disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, their development across the third trimester and perinatal transition remains unknown. Employing resting-state functional MRI at 30 to 32, 34 to 36, and 40 to 44 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), we examined developmental trajectories of the intra- and internetwork connectivity of the 3 networks measured in 84 fetuses and neonates. A secondary analysis addressed the impact of maternal mental health on these networks. The DMN, FPN, and SN intranetwork connectivity evidenced significant increases between 36 and 44 weeks PMA, with connectivity measures reaching values significantly greater than 0 at 40 weeks PMA for all 3 networks. Connectivity between SN and DMN and between SN and FPN decreased significantly with the connectivity values significantly below 0 at 36-44 weeks. However, DMN-FPN connectivity increased between 30 and 44 weeks with the connectivity greater than 0 already at 36 months. Finally, higher maternal stress levels negatively affected the SN across 30-44 weeks PMA. These data provide a normative framework to compare fetuses and neonates at risk for neurobehavioral disorders and assess the impact of the environment on the developing brain.