Brain-based Lifespan Trajectories of Social Cognition: From Resting-state fMRI Perspective

Abstract

Brain lifespan trajectories of intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) in social cognition (SC) provide comprehensive insight and effective reference for normal development and clinical intervention. Unfortunately, for a lack of lifespan samples, the neural mechanism underlying SC in a lifespan developmental perspective is largely unknown, though relative behavior evidence has been investigated well. We, based on common functional networks, aim to map out voxel-wise iFC features between the SC networks and the entire cerebral cortex and further chart its corresponding trajectory patterns across the lifespan. Three networks, namely moral cognition, theory of mind (ToM), and empathy, are chosen as representatives of core SC networks. NKI-RS Enhanced (N = 316, ages 8-83 years old) dataset is selected as a lifespan resting-state fMRI dataset to delineate iFC characteristics and construct developmental trajectories. The result shows that the SC networks represent dissociable and network-specific connectivity profiles. Empathy network, as the most age-related susceptible network, shows a linear up trend with dorsal attention network, a linear decrease with ventral attention network, and a quadric-concave with somatomotor and dorsal attention networks. In addition, the sex effect is also discovered in empathy network, which exhibits linear and quadric gender differences with frontoparietal and vision networks respectively. ToM network follows a pronounced quadric-convex (inverted U-shape) trajectory with ventral attention network. No linear and quadric trajectory is found in moral cognition network. These findings indicate that SC networks display a wide range of iFC both with the fundamental networks (e.g., somatomotor, vision) and advanced networks (e.g., attention and control) in specific developmental trajectories, which will provide a better understanding of SC neural mechanism and life-span developmental trajectories also give valuable references for SC abnormal detection and effective therapy.