Mapping Changes in the Human Cortex throughout the Span of Life
Abstract
In this review, the authors summarize the literature on brain morphological changes that occur throughout the human life span from childhood into old age. They examine changes observed postmortem and in vivo where various brain MRI analytic methods have been applied. They evaluate brain changes observed with volumetric image analytic methods and voxel-based morphometric methods that may be used to better localize where changes occur. The primary focus of the review is on recent studies using state-of-the-art cortical pattern-matching techniques to assess age-related changes in cortical asymmetries, gray matter distribution, and brain growth across various age spans. The authors attempt to integrate findings from the in vivo studies with results from postmortem studies and analyze the complicated question of when brain maturation stops and brain aging begins. Analyzing the regional patterns of change initiated at various ages may help elucidate relationships between changing brain morphology and changing cognitive functions that occur throughout life. Long-range longitudinal studies, correlations between imaging and postmortem data, and more advanced image acquisition and analysis technologies will be needed to fully interpret brain morphological changes observed in vivo in relation to development and aging.
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In general, regions that involve primary functions, such as motor and sensory systems, mature earliest compared to the higher-order association areas that integrate these primary functions.
“In general, regions that involve primary functions, such as motor and sensory systems, mature earliest compared to the higher-order association areas that integrate these primary functions (Gogtay et al. 2004; Sowell et al. 2004).”
From <i>The Adolescent Brain</i> (2008) · cites this paper as Sowell et al. 2004
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- Authors
- Sowell, E. R., Thompson, P. M., & Toga, A. W.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Venue
- The Neuroscientist
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2004-08
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 372-392
- ISSN
- 1073-8584 (ISSN-L)
- 1089-4098
- OpenAlex
- W2150322963
- Cited by
- 572
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 35 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 39
- FWCI
- 2.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Neuroscientist (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (T32MH016381, MH01733, K01MH001733, P20 MH/DA52176)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (R21DA015878, DA015878)
- National Center for Research Resources (P41RR013642)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Keywords
- human cortex, brain structural changes, brain aging, brain development, cortical asymmetry, brain growth, voxel-based morphometry, brain MRI, postmortem brain studies, cognitive aging, longitudinal neuroimaging
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aging, Atrophy, Brain Mapping, Cerebral Cortex, Child, Child, Preschool, Humans, Functional Laterality, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Middle Aged, Nerve Fibers, Myelinated, Nerve Net, Neuronal Plasticity
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