7 Tesla fMRI characterisation of the cortical-depth-dependent BOLD response in early human development

Human cortical development leading up to and around birth is crucial for lifelong brain function. Cortical activity can be studied using BOLD fMRI, however, previously limited sensitivity and spatial specificity has constrained understanding of how its emergence relates to functional cortical circuitry and neurovascular development at the mesoscale. To resolve this, we used ultra-high-field 7 Tesla MRI to acquire submillimetre resolution BOLD-fMRI data from 40 newborns and 4 adults. In all subjects, passive right-hand movement elicited localised, positive BOLD responses in contralateral primary somatosensory cortex. In newborns, depth-specific BOLD responses were still evident in the thinner cortex, with developmental changes in response temporal features and amplitudes at different depths. This provides insight into key rapidly evolving factors in early cortical development including neuronal function, vascular architecture, and neurovascular coupling. Our framework and findings provide a foundation for future studies of emerging cortical circuitry and how disruption leads to adverse outcomes.