title: Annual research review: Growth connectomics--the organization and reorganization of brain networks during normal and abnormal development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We first give a brief introduction to graph theoretical analysis and its application to the study of brain network topology or connectomics. Within this framework, we review the existing empirical data on developmental changes in brain network organization across a range of experimental modalities (including structural and functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography in humans).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We discuss preliminary evidence and current hypotheses for how the emergence of network properties correlates with concomitant cognitive and behavioural changes associated with development. We highlight some of the technical and conceptual challenges to be addressed by future developments in this rapidly moving field. Given the parallels previously discovered between neural systems across species and over a range of spatial scales, we also review some recent advances in developmental network studies at the cellular scale. We highlight the opportunities presented by such studies and how they may complement neuroimaging in advancing our understanding of brain development. Finally, we note that many brain and mind disorders are thought to be neurodevelopmental in origin and that charting the trajectory of brain network changes associated with healthy development also sets the stage for understanding abnormal network development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We therefore briefly review the clinical relevance of network metrics as potential diagnostic markers and some recent efforts in computational modelling of brain networks which might contribute to a more mechanistic understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders in future.
authors.affiliation: Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Petra E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Vértes
authors.forename: Edward T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Bullmore
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D063132:Connectome; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D065886:Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Brain networks; cognitive change; connectomics; development; neurodevelopmental disorders