Convergent and divergent brain-cognition development in early adolescence
Yapei Xie1,2,3,4, Shaoshi Zhang1,2,3,4,5, Csaba Orban1,2,3,4
1Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational MR Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Nature Communications
|May 26, 2026
Summary
Stable brain functional networks in early adolescence are better predictors of future cognitive ability than dynamic changes. This finding highlights the importance of consistent brain organization for cognitive development during this critical period.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Understanding the co-evolution of functional brain networks and cognition during adolescence is crucial.
- Adolescence is a period of significant brain maturation and cognitive development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how resting-state functional connectivity predicts cognitive ability in adolescents.
- To determine whether baseline functional connectivity or its longitudinal change is a better predictor of future cognition.
- To explore the temporal dynamics of brain-cognition relationships during adolescent development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized baseline and Year 2 data from 2949 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.
- Employed kernel ridge regression models to predict cognitive ability from resting-state functional connectivity.
- Assessed the predictive power of baseline functional connectivity versus longitudinal changes in functional connectivity.
Main Results:
- Baseline functional connectivity was a stronger predictor of future cognitive ability than baseline cognitive ability itself.
- Models predicting baseline cognition from functional connectivity generalized well to future time points.
- Stable individual differences in brain functional networks were more critical than dynamic changes in predicting cognitive outcomes in early adolescence.
- Sex-specific patterns were observed in brain-cognition predictive models.
Conclusions:
- Stable functional brain network organization in early adolescence plays a more significant role in shaping future cognitive outcomes than dynamic changes.
- Brain-cognition relationships appear to strengthen over time during adolescent development.
- The findings provide insights into the neurodevelopmental trajectories of cognitive abilities.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are themselves.
01:19Piaget's Stage 4 of Cognitive Development
The formal operational stage, as described in Piaget's cognitive development theory, begins around age 11 and extends into adulthood. It marks the emergence of advanced cognitive abilities that differentiate adolescent and adult thinking from those of younger children. This stage is characterized by abstract reasoning, hypothetical-deductive reasoning, and a more complex understanding of self and others.
Abstract Reasoning and Hypothetical-Deductive Thinking
Unlike the concrete operational...
Abstract Reasoning and Hypothetical-Deductive Thinking
Unlike the concrete operational...
01:17Cognitivism
Cognitive psychology emerged as a significant field in the mid-20th century. It focused on understanding humans' internal mental processes. This approach emphasizes how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems—elements critical to human cognition.
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...