Variation in moment-to-moment brain state engagement follows a consistent trajectory during development.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Neural variability, the fluctuation in brain signals, supports adaptable brain function.
• This adaptability is crucial during development, a period of significant change.
• Understanding developmental changes in moment-to-moment brain state engagement variability is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental trajectory of state engagement variability (SEV).
• To determine if SEV predicts executive function (EF) in youth.
• To explore the relationship between SEV development and EF outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a novel computational framework to analyze SEV.
• Examined cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets (N > 3,000) to identify age-related SEV patterns.
• Assessed SEV's predictive power for EF using an independent youth dataset.

Main Results:

• Identified a consistent pattern of SEV changes across development.
• Observed SEV stabilization around mid-adolescence, with sex and state-specific timing.
• Demonstrated that SEV predicts EF, and deviations from the typical SEV trajectory correlate with poorer EF.

Conclusions:

• SEV exhibits a distinct developmental trajectory that matures through adolescence.
• SEV development is linked to executive function, suggesting a neural basis for cognitive maturation.
• Deviations in SEV development may indicate altered cognitive development pathways.