Growth connectomics: the organization and re-organization of brain networks during normal and abnormal development
Publication Date
2014-12-01Journal Title
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
ISSN
0021-9630
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
56
Pages
299-320
Language
English
Type
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Vertes, P., & Bullmore, E. (2014). Growth connectomics: the organization and re-organization of brain networks during normal and abnormal development. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 56 299-320. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12365
Abstract
We first give a brief introduction to graph theoretical analysis and its application to the study of brain network topology or connectomics. Within this framework, we review the existing empirical data on developmental changes in brain network organization across a range of experimental modalities (including structural and functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography in humans). We discuss preliminary evidence and current hypotheses for how the emergence of network properties correlates with concomitant cognitive and behavioural changes associated with development. We highlight some of the technical and conceptual challenges to be addressed by future developments in this rapidly moving field. Given the parallels previously discovered between neural systems across species and over a range of spatial scales, we also review some recent advances in developmental network studies at the cellular scale. We highlight the opportunities presented by such studies and how they may complement neuroimaging in advancing our understanding of brain development. Finally, we note that many brain and mind disorders are thought to be neurodevelopmental in origin and that charting the trajectory of brain network changes associated with healthy development also sets the stage for understanding abnormal network development. We therefore briefly review the clinical relevance of network metrics as potential diagnostic markers and some recent efforts in computational modelling of brain networks which might contribute to a more mechanistic understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders in future.
Keywords
Brain networks, connectomics, development, cognitive change, neurodevelopmental disorders
Sponsorship
PEV is supported by the Medical Research Council (grant number MR/K020706/1). This
work was supported by the Neuroscience in Psychiatry Network (NSPN) which is funded by a Wellcome Trust strategy award to the University of Cambridge and University College London. ETB is employed half-time by the University of Cambridge and half-time by GlaxoSmithKline; he holds stock in GSK.
Funder references
MRC (G1000183)
Wellcome Trust (095844/Z/11/Z)
MRC (MR/K020706/1)
Wellcome Trust (093875/Z/10/Z)
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (G0001354)
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12365
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/246361
Rights
Attribution 2.0 UK: England & Wales, Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0 UK
Licence URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/uk/