Brain Development Along Macroscale Gradients

Abstract

Brain development during early life establishes the foundation for lifelong cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding how gradients, continuous spatial transitions in brain organization, capture the spatiotemporal maturation of neural systems from prenatal development through toddlerhood and early childhood into adolescence and adulthood. We examine how these gradients are evident across multiple scales, from gene expression and neurotransmitter systems to structural connectivity and functional networks. Drawing on cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques and computational approaches, we demonstrate how gradient-based frameworks may support the progression from basic sensory processing to complex cognitive abilities. We also explore how alterations to these gradients relate to neurodevelopmental conditions and deviations from healthy aging and potentially offer insights for early identification and intervention. In sum, this review highlights how gradients may capture the spatiotemporal dynamics of neurodevelopmental maturation and aging.