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The lifespan evolution of individualized neurophysiological traits
Jason da Silva Castanheira1, Alex I Wiesman2, Margot J Taylor3
1Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Experimental Psychology and Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17-19 Alexandra House, London WC1N 3AZ, UK.
Cell Reports
|December 12, 2025
Summary
Brain activity becomes more unique with age, especially in adulthood. Periodic brain activity patterns are key to individual identity throughout life, influenced by genetics.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Individual differences in brain function are crucial for understanding human cognition.
- Lifespan changes in neurophysiology are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how neurophysiological traits evolve across the lifespan.
- To identify factors influencing individual differences in brain activity from childhood to old age.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of task-free magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings from over 1,000 individuals (aged 4-89).
- Examination of both arrhythmic and periodic brain activity patterns.
- Correlation with cortical gene expression data.
Main Results:
- Neurophysiological similarity decreases from childhood to adulthood, driven by arrhythmic activity.
- Periodic activity profiles consistently mark individuality across all ages.
- Key cortical regions for individuality shift with age, with sensorimotor areas gaining prominence in adulthood.
- Developmental neurophysiology aligns with genetic systems for ion transport and neurotransmission, particularly in late adolescence.
Conclusions:
- Neurophysiological individuality evolves across the lifespan, with increasing uniqueness in adulthood.
- Periodic brain activity is a stable marker of individuality.
- Genetic factors play an increasingly significant role in shaping neurophysiological traits throughout development and aging.
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