title: Age-related increases in long-range connectivity in fetal functional neural connectivity networks in utero.
abstract: Formation of operational neural networks is one of the most significant accomplishments of human fetal brain growth. Recent advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have made it possible to obtain information about brain function during fetal development. Specifically, resting-state fMRI and novel signal covariation approaches have opened up a new avenue for non-invasive assessment of neural functional connectivity (FC) before birth. Early studies in this area have unearthed new insights about principles of prenatal brain function. However, very little is known about the emergence and maturation of neural networks during fetal life. Here, we obtained cross-sectional rs-fMRI data from 39 fetuses between 24 and 38 weeks postconceptual age to examine patterns of connectivity across ten neural FC networks. We identified primitive forms of motor, visual, default mode, thalamic, and temporal networks in the human fetal brain. We discovered the first evidence of increased long-range, cerebral-cerebellar, cortical-subcortical, and intra-hemispheric FC with advancing fetal age. Continued aggregation of data about fundamental neural connectivity systems in utero is essential to establishing principles of connectomics at the beginning of human life. Normative data provides a vital context against which to compare instances of abnormal neurobiological development.
authors.affiliation: Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. Electronic address: moriah@wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Moriah E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Thomason
authors.affiliation: Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Grove
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University School of Medicine, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA.
authors.forename: Tim A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Lozon
authors.affiliation: Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vila
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Yongquan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nye
authors.affiliation: Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Janessa H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Manning
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Athina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pappas
authors.affiliation: Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Andrade
authors.affiliation: Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Lami
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University School of Medicine, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA.
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mody
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.affiliation: Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Sonia S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA; Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romero
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology*; D063132:Connectome; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000196:embryology*; D012146:Rest; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Connectome; Fetus; Human; Prenatal; Resting-state; fMRI