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4.8: Development of brain networks

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    Brain Networks

    How does the brain retain so much information while also having the ability to quickly and efficiently process new information during infancy and toddlerhood? The adult brain is a highly organized network consisting of billions of interconnected neurons (Herculano-Houzel, 2009). Fast and efficient communication throughout the brain is necessary for nearly all cognitive processes. One theory suggests that the brain has sets of networks. Each network is composed of hubs that represent distinct brain regions, with pathways connecting these regions. Fransson et al. (2010) were the first to investigate the functional architecture of the infant brain. They reported that functional networks are already present, even if in basic form, in the newborn brain and are predominantly located in the sensory and motor regions of the brain--supporting early infant sensorimotor development.

    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) illustrates the developmental changes in brain networks between 1 month olds, 1 year olds and 2 year olds. Compare the images for each age group, what similarities and differences do you notice? In 1 month olds, the network hubs are located in the anterior (near the front) and posterior (near the back) areas of the brain with limited connections between anterior and posterior hubs. In comparison, in one year olds, the network hubs are located more toward the center of the brain with more connections linking all the hubs together. Finally, in two year olds, the locations of hubs become more spatially distributed, with hubs located across the brain and connections linking all the network hubs together. In summary, this research shows that children are born with brain networks ready to process the many sensory and motor experiences of early infancy and within the first two years, these networks experience major transformations as they continue to support the rapidly developing child.

    Definition: Brain networks

    A theory suggesting that the brain has sets of networks and each network is composed of hubs that represent distinct brain regions, with pathways connecting these regions, allowing for fast and efficient communication across brain regions

    Location and connections between the top ten brain network hubs. This chart shows data provided in the figure caption
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Location and connections between the top ten brain network hubs. In 1-month-olds, the network hubs are located in the anterior (near the front) and posterior (near the back) areas of the brain, with limited connections between anterior and posterior hubs. In comparison, in one-year-olds, the network hubs are located more toward the center of the brain, with more connections linking all the hubs together. Finally, in two-year-olds, the locations of hubs become more spatially distributed, with hubs located across the brain and connections linking all the network hubs together ([1])

    Attributions

    This page titled 4.8: Development of brain networks is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Todd LaMarr (ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative) .