Optimization of energy state transition trajectory supports the development of executive function during youth
Abstract
Executive function develops during adolescence, yet it remains unknown how structural brain networks mature to facilitate activation of the fronto-parietal system, which is critical for executive function. In a sample of 946 human youths (ages 8-23y) who completed diffusion imaging, we capitalized upon recent advances in linear dynamical network control theory to calculate the energetic cost necessary to activate the fronto-parietal system through the control of multiple brain regions given existing structural network topology. We found that the energy required to activate the fronto-parietal system declined with development, and the pattern of regional energetic cost predicts unseen individuals’ brain maturity. Finally, energetic requirements of the cingulate cortex were negatively correlated with executive performance, and partially mediated the development of executive performance with age. Our results reveal a mechanism by which structural networks develop during adolescence to reduce the theoretical energetic costs of transitions to activation states necessary for executive function.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 27, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.7554/elife.53060
Entities
People
- Cedric H Xia
- Christos Davatzikos
- Danielle Bassett
- David R Roalf
- Desmond Oathes
- Fabio Pasqualetti
- Graham L. Baum
- Jason Z Kim
- Jennifer Stiso
- Kosha Ruparel
- Raquel E. Gur
- Rastko Ciric
- Richard F Betzel
- Ruben Gur
- Russell T Shinohara
- Shi Gu
- Theodore D Satterthwaite
- Tyler M Moore
- Xiaosong He
- Zaixu Cui
- Zhixin Lu
Organizations
- Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
- Army Research Office
- Indiana University
- Institute for Scientific Interchange
- John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
- Santa Fe Institute
- United States Army Research Laboratory
- University of California
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- University of Pennsylvania