Commonality and Variability in Functional Networks In Young Children Under 5 Years Old

Tu, J. C.; Lu, C.; Day, T. K. M.; Hermosillo, R.; Moore, L. A.; Wang, A.; Wang, X.; Dierker, D.; Latham, A.; Kenley, J. K.; Fair, D. A.; Elison, J. T.; Sylvester, C. M.; Warner, B. B.; Luby, J. L.; Rogers, C. E.; Barch, D. M.; Smyser, C. D.; Laumann, T. O.; Gordon, E. M.; Eggebrecht, A. T.; Wheelock, M. D.

doi:10.1101/2025.09.12.675913

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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.09.12.675913

Commonality and Variability in Functional Networks In Young Children Under 5 Years Old

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Abstract

Functional brain networks support human cognition, yet how individualized network architecture emerges in early childhood remains poorly understood. Averaging across participants can obscure age-specific organization and person-to-person differences, particularly in slowly developing association cortices. We developed an age-appropriate functional reference that captured common structure across toddlers without averaging away individual variability, enabling estimation of each childs networks from resting-state fMRI. Across cohorts of 8-60-month-old children, we found individualized network organization--including finer-scale subdivisions and emerging language lateralization--well before age five. Network layouts showed longitudinal stability, with greater consistency in sensory than association regions. Within-network connectivity was stronger and explained age-related variance when networks were defined using individualized rather than group-consensus topography. Left-lateralization of language networks tracked age-normalized verbal ability, linking early functional architecture to emerging cognition. These findings show that behaviorally relevant brain networks arise far earlier than previously recognized, providing a foundation for studying typical development and early biomarkers.

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Tu, J. C., Lu, C., Day, T. K. M., Hermosillo, R., Moore, L. A., Wang, A., Wang, X., Dierker, D., Latham, A., Kenley, J. K., Fair, D. A., Elison, J. T., Sylvester, C. M., Warner, B. B., Luby, J. L., Rogers, C. E., Barch, D. M., Smyser, C. D., Laumann, T. O., Gordon, E. M., Eggebrecht, A. T., Wheelock, M. D.. 2025-09-13. Commonality and Variability in Functional Networks In Young Children Under 5 Years Old. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.12.675913

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