Next-generation human connectome atlas across the timespan of brain development

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ABSTRACT The formation of a highly efficient and segregated connectome begins during the third trimester and develops throughout infancy, childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood. However, precise and comprehensive delineation of the development of the connectome – elucidating the neural connectome at multiple ages of human development - has been less well studied despite efforts made to assess the lifespan connectome. The human brain connectome is fundamentally underlaid by the cell-to-cell connections that comprise the functional circuitry and global network organization. Region-specific disruptions to neural connectivity may underlie neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. In this study, we will establish unique next-generation whole-brain connectomic atlas with connectomic data with resolution of isotropic 1mm or submillimeter during human infancy and childhood to gain hitherto unattainable insights into human brain development and neuropsychiatric disease. The developmental connectome atlas can be potentially associated with precise spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression that differentiate brain regions, cell types, and developmental periods. This atlas will be freely disseminated to the public through an integrated web portal.