Functional connectome harmonics and dynamic connectivity maps of the preadolescent brain

Isabella Lucia Chiara Mariani Wigley; Aurora Berto; Ilkka Suuronen; Ashmeet Jolly; Ru Li; Harri Merisaari; Elmo P. Pulli; Aylin Rosberg; Hilyatushalihah Kholis Audah; Aaron Barron; Silja Luotonen; Massimiliano Pastore; Mattia Veronese; Hasse Karlsson; Riikka Korja; Linnea Karlsson; J M S Cabral; Morten L. Kringelbach; Selen Atasoy; Jakob Seidlitz; Richard AI Betlehem; Jetro J. Tuulari

doi:10.64898/2026.03.02.708791

NeurosciencebioRxivMar 3, 2026

Preprint

Functional connectome harmonics and dynamic connectivity maps of the preadolescent brain

Isabella Lucia Chiara Mariani Wigley iD, Aurora Berto, Ilkka Suuronen iD, Ashmeet Jolly iD, Ru Li iD, Harri Merisaari iD, Elmo P. Pulli iD, Aylin Rosberg iD, Hilyatushalihah Kholis Audah iD, Aaron Barron iD, Silja Luotonen iD, Massimiliano Pastore iD, Mattia Veronese iD, Hasse Karlsson iD, Riikka Korja iD, Linnea Karlsson iD, J M S Cabral iD, Morten L. Kringelbach iD, Selen Atasoy iD, Jakob Seidlitz iD, Richard AI Betlehem, Jetro J. Tuulari iD

Abstract

The maturation of large-scale functional brain networks during preadolescence underpins critical cognitive and behavioral development. However, the spatial and temporal organization of these networks in this age group remains incompletely characterized. Here we applied Functional Connectome Harmonics (FCH) and Leading Eigenvector Dynamics Analysis (LEiDA) to resting-state fMRI data from over 11,000 children aged 9-10 years in the ABCD Study. FCH revealed hierarchical spatial gradients spanning cortical and subcortical regions, while LEiDA identified recurrent dynamic brain states aligned with canonical intrinsic connectivity networks. Linking these spatial and temporal components, we established a low-dimensional harmonic scaffold constraining brain dynamics during this developmental window. These findings provide a large-scale spatiotemporal reference framework of preadolescent functional brain organization, offering a foundation for characterizing neurodevelopmental benchmarks and early neural markers relevant to adolescent mental health.

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