The Development of Human Functional Brain Networks

Jonathan D. Power, Damien A. Fair, Bradley L. Schlaggar, Steven E. Petersen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

522 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent advances in MRI technology have enabled precise measurements of correlated activity throughout the brain, leading to the first comprehensive descriptions of functional brain networks in humans. This article reviews the growing literature on the development of functional networks, from infancy through adolescence, as measured by resting-state functional connectivity MRI. We note several limitations of traditional approaches to describing brain networks and describe a powerful framework for analyzing networks, called graph theory. We argue that characterization of the development of brain systems (e.g., the default mode network) should be comprehensive, considering not only relationships within a given system, but also how these relationships are situated within wider network contexts. We note that, despite substantial reorganization of functional connectivity, several large-scale network properties appear to be preserved across development, suggesting that functional brain networks, even in children, are organized in manners similar to other complex systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)735-748
Number of pages14
JournalNeuron
Volume67
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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