Hierarchical maturation of structural brain connectomes from birth to childhood.

ABSTRACT: The postnatal white matter connectome undergoes profound reorganization, yet the topological principles governing its spatiotemporal maturation remain largely unknown. Using connectome mapping, machine learning, and neurobiological annotation, we show hierarchical network development from birth to childhood and its association with neurobiological signatures. We identify two cardinal topological transformations that change rapidly during infancy and continue to refine into childhood, as characterized by nonlinear global increases in network efficiency and robustness to nodal attack, and regional reorganization with accelerated hub consolidation and prolonged modular reconfiguration, predominantly involving the prefrontal and insular cortices. Early developmental trajectories of these assoc

SUBMITTER: Zhao T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12929715 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature