Research Byte: A #hierarchical model of early #brain #functional #network development - excellent #review #cognition #cognitive #brain networks #schoolpsychology

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A good overview/review article of the evolution of brain networks with an excellent visual-graphic summary (I love good visual summaries, which I label in my blog as being a Gv Figure Hall of Fame)

A hierarchical model of early brain functional network development 
Wei Gao, Open access (you can download and read) in Trends in Cognitive Science

Abstract 

Functional brain networks emerge prenatally, grow interactively during the first years of life, and optimize both within-network topology and between-network interactions as individuals age. This review summarizes research that has characterized this process over the past two decades, and aims to link functional network growth with emerging behaviors, thereby developing a more holistic understanding of the developing brain and behavior from a functional network perspective. This synthesis suggests that the development of the brain's functional networks follows an overlapping hierarchy, progressing from primary sensory/motor to socioemotional-centered development and finally to higher-order cognitive/executive control networks. Risk-related alterations, resilience factors, treatment effects, and novel therapeutic opportunities are also dis-cussed to encourage the consideration of future imaging-assisted methods for identifying risks and interventions.

Excellent conceptual suggestion for organizing mind wandering research

Trends in Cognitive Sciences, June 2018, Vol. 22, No. 6

ABSTRACT

As empirical research on mind-wandering accelerates, we draw attention to an emerging trend in how mind-wandering is conceptualized. Previously articulated definitions of mind-wandering differ from each other in important ways, yet they also maintain overlapping characteristics. This conceptual structure suggests that mind-wandering is best considered from a family-resemblances perspective, which entails treating it as a graded, heterogeneous construct and clearly measuring and describing the specific aspect(s) of mind-wandering that researchers are investigating. We believe that adopting this family-resemblances approach will increase conceptual and methodological connections among related phenomena in the mind-wandering family and encourage a more nuanced and precise understanding of the many varieties of mind-wandering.

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Typical and atypical development model--Figure for the Gv Gallery Hall of Fame

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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad