Hierarchical complexity of the macro-scale neonatal brain

Blesa, M, Galdi, P, Cox, SR, Sullivan, G, Stoye, DQ, Lamb, GJ, Quigley, AJ, Thrippleton, MJ, Escudero, J, Bastin, ME, Smith, KM ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4615-9020 and Boardman, JP, 2021. Hierarchical complexity of the macro-scale neonatal brain. Cerebral Cortex, 31 (4), pp. 2071-2084. ISSN 1047-3211

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Abstract

The human adult structural connectome has a rich nodal hierarchy, with highly diverse connectivity patterns aligned to the diverse range of functional specializations in the brain. The emergence of this hierarchical complexity in human development is unknown. Here, we substantiate the hierarchical tiers and hierarchical complexity of brain networks in the newborn period, assess correspondences with hierarchical complexity in adulthood, and investigate the effect of preterm birth, a leading cause of atypical brain development and later neurocognitive impairment, on hierarchical complexity. We report that neonatal and adult structural connectomes are both composed of distinct hierarchical tiers and that hierarchical complexity is greater in term born neonates than in preterms. This is due to diversity of connectivity patterns of regions within the intermediate tiers, which consist of regions that underlie sensorimotor processing and its integration with cognitive information. For neonates and adults, the highest tier (hub regions) is ordered, rather than complex, with more homogeneous connectivity patterns in structural hubs. This suggests that the brain develops first a more rigid structure in hub regions allowing for the development of greater and more diverse functional specialization in lower level regions, while connectivity underpinning this diversity is dysmature in infants born preterm.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Cerebral Cortex
Creators:	Blesa, M., Galdi, P., Cox, S.R., Sullivan, G., Stoye, D.Q., Lamb, G.J., Quigley, A.J., Thrippleton, M.J., Escudero, J., Bastin, M.E., Smith, K.M. and Boardman, J.P.
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Date:	5 April 2021
Volume:	31
Number:	4
ISSN:	1047-3211
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1093/cercor/bhaa345 DOI 1502733 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	14 Dec 2021 08:40
Last Modified:	14 Dec 2021 08:40
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/45117

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