Functional neural network configuration in late childhood varies by age and cognitive state

Abstract

Late childhood and early adolescence is characterized by substantial brain maturation which contributes to both adult-like and age-dependent resting-state network connectivity patterns. However, it remains unclear whether these functional network characteristics in children are subject to differential modulation by distinct cognitive demands as previously found in adults. We conducted network analyses on fMRI data from 60 children (aged 9–12) during resting and during three distinct tasks involving decision making, visual perception, and spatial working memory. Graph measures of network architecture, functional integration, and flexibility were calculated for each of the four states. During resting state, the children’s network architecture was similar to that in young adults (N = 60, aged 20–23) but the degree of similarity was age- and network-dependent. During the task states, the children's whole-brain network exhibited enhanced integration in response to increased cognitive demand. Additionally, the frontoparietal network showed flexibility in connectivity patterns across states while networks implicated in motor and visual processing remained relatively stable. Exploratory analyses suggest different relationships between behavioral performance and connectivity profiles for the working memory and perceptual tasks. Together, our findings demonstrate state- and age-dependent features in functional network connectivity during late childhood, potentially providing markers for brain and cognitive development.

Keywords

• Late childhood
• Network connectivity
• Integration
• Flexibility
• Cognitive processing
• Age effect