Topological turning points across the human lifespan.
Alexa Mousley1, Richard A I Bethlehem2, Fang-Cheng Yeh3
1MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. alexa.mousley@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk.
Nature Communications
|November 25, 2025
Summary
Human brain topology changes non-linearly throughout life, with distinct developmental phases identified around ages 9, 32, 66, and 83. These lifespan epochs reveal unique patterns in brain organization and development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Network Science
Background:
- Brain structural topology evolves non-linearly across the human lifespan.
- This development is closely linked to cognitive trajectories.
- Understanding these changes requires a population-level, multivariate perspective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze age-related changes in brain structural topology across the entire lifespan.
- To identify distinct epochs and turning points in human topological development.
- To elucidate the relationship between age, brain organization, and cognitive development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized diffusion imaging data from 4,216 individuals aged 0-90 years.
- Applied 12 graph theory metrics to assess brain organization.
- Employed Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) to visualize topological changes in manifold spaces.
Main Results:
- Identified four significant topological turning points at approximately ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 years.
- Defined five distinct epochs of topological development across the lifespan.
- Each epoch exhibited unique age-related topological changes and organizational properties.
Conclusions:
- Human topological development is complex and non-linear, characterized by distinct maturation phases.
- A multivariate, lifespan, population-level approach is crucial for understanding these developmental dynamics.
- These findings provide insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of cognitive aging and development.
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