Development of structure–function coupling in human brain networks during youth

The protracted development of structural and functional brain connectivity within distributed association networks coincides with improvements in higher-order cognitive processes such as executive function. However, it remains unclear how white-matter architecture develops during youth to directly support coordinated neural activity. Here, we characterize the development of structure–function coupling using diffusion-weighted imaging and n -back functional MRI data in a sample of 727 individuals (ages 8 to 23 y). We found that spatial variability in structure–function coupling aligned with cortical hierarchies of functional specialization and evolutionary expansion. Furthermore, hierarchy-dependent age effects…

• CH
  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• UO
  University of Pennsylvania

  Awards: R01NS085211, R01MH112847
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: MH089924, RF1MH116920, R01MH107703, R01NS085211, MH089983, R01MH107235, K01MH102609, R01MH113550, P50MH096891, R01MH112847
• NI
  National Institute of Mental Health

  Awards: MH089983, R01MH112847, P50MH096891, RF1MH116920, K01MH102609, F31MH115709, R01MH113550, R01MH107703, MH089924, R01NS085211, R01MH107235