Jialiang Guo , Yuanjun Kong , Bingkun Li , Xiangsheng Luo , Chen Dang , Jipeng Huang , Xuye Yuan , Li Sun , Yan Song
{"title":"Distinct theta oscillation coherence patterns during visual selective attention in children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder","authors":"Jialiang Guo , Yuanjun Kong , Bingkun Li , Xiangsheng Luo , Chen Dang , Jipeng Huang , Xuye Yuan , Li Sun , Yan Song","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have problems with visual selective attention. The present study explored the phase coherence connectivity of theta oscillations in 76 typically developing (TD) children and 85 medication-naive children with ADHD (7–13 years) while they performed a visual search task. We identified distinct coherence modulation patterns in the theta frequency band in the TD and ADHD groups, with weaker coherence between the frontal and target-contralateral posterior areas than between the frontal and target-ipsilateral posterior areas. TD children demonstrated significant coherence modulation between frontal and right posterior (FRP) areas, whereas children with ADHD showed predominant modulation between frontal and left posterior (FLP) areas. Trials with greater FLP modulation were associated with faster responses in the ADHD group and more stable responses in the TD group. FLP modulation increased with age in TD children. These findings indicate that the theta coherence modulation between the frontal and posterior areas may reflect the efficient suppression of bottom-up sensory processing to prioritize top-down control. Compared with TD children, children with ADHD develop distinct specialized brain networks for visual attention. The FLP modulation in children with ADHD may signify compensatory maturation of neural networks involved in visual attention processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101636"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145363560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Causal dynamics of memory circuits in mathematical development from childhood to adulthood","authors":"Ruizhe Liu , Hyesang Chang , Yuan Zhang , Vinod Menon","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mathematical cognition engages a distributed brain network, but the causal dynamics of information flow within it, particularly how memory circuits interact with other brain regions across development, remain unknown. We examined causal dynamic interactions in typically developing children and adolescents/young adults (AYA) using fMRI during three tasks involving mental arithmetic and symbolic and non-symbolic number comparison. Using multivariate dynamic state-space identification modeling, we found that causal dynamic interactions differed between children and AYA across all three tasks, especially during arithmetic processing. The left medial temporal lobe (MTL) served as a causal signaling hub in AYA across all three tasks, but not in children. The left angular gyrus (AG) maintained consistent hub-like properties during arithmetic task across development. Compared to AYA, children exhibited heightened causal interactions in both the MTL and AG. Moreover, network hub properties of these regions correlated with individual’s mathematical achievement specifically during arithmetic processing. Together, we found that the MTL transitioned from heightened, context-dependent, interactions in childhood to a stable causal hub in adulthood, while the AG maintained as a hub during arithmetic processing across development. This dissociation between memory systems, coupled with their task-specific relationship to mathematical abilities, provides novel insights into how brain networks mature to support mathematical cognition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101628"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145304074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Halie A. Olson , Trevor K.M. Day , Kelly J. Hiersche , Brittany L. Manning , Holly Bradley , Soujin Choi , Gavkhar Abdurokhmonova , Sarah A. McCormick , Amy L. Conrad , Dustin Scheinost , Kelly A. Vaughn
{"title":"Utilizing functional neuroimaging to study early language development","authors":"Halie A. Olson , Trevor K.M. Day , Kelly J. Hiersche , Brittany L. Manning , Holly Bradley , Soujin Choi , Gavkhar Abdurokhmonova , Sarah A. McCormick , Amy L. Conrad , Dustin Scheinost , Kelly A. Vaughn","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101641","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101641","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Language develops rapidly over the infant and toddler period and has been a key area of research within the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience. Understanding the neural basis of early language development may help us predict delays or disorders, recommend early interventions, and provide a deeper mechanistic understanding of how the brain supports language learning. While the ontogeny of many cognitive functions can be studied in animal models, language development can only be studied in human children. Thus, functional neuroimaging is critical for uncovering the neural basis of language in early development. The purpose of this review is to take stock of some examples of what we have learned so far, and to explore some of the biggest open questions for the next phase of fetal, infant, and toddler neuroimaging research of language development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101641"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145524558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liwen Yu , Meng Dai , Pei Huang , Birit F.P. Broekman , Michael Meaney , Yap Seng Chong , Marielle Valerie Fortier , Peipei Setoh , Henning Tiemeier , Ai Peng Tan , Xiao Pan Ding
{"title":"Neural network topology in children’s deceptive behaviors: The role of cognitive control and reward processing","authors":"Liwen Yu , Meng Dai , Pei Huang , Birit F.P. Broekman , Michael Meaney , Yap Seng Chong , Marielle Valerie Fortier , Peipei Setoh , Henning Tiemeier , Ai Peng Tan , Xiao Pan Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The neural mechanisms related to children’s deceptive behaviors remain relatively unexplored. This study aims to address this gap by using measures of functional brain network topology, focusing on the cognitive control and reward processing networks that are closely related to children’s deceptive behaviors. The study included 113 6-year-old children from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) project, a birth cohort study. Children participated in the Dart Game designed to assess their tendencies to cheat and lie. During the game, children were required to throw the ball at a long-distance dartboard without supervision, which provided opportunities to cheat by breaking the rules. After the game, children were questioned about whether they had followed the rule, which provided them with opportunities to lie. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected from all children at the same age during a different visit. We compared three network topology measures (cognitive control network recruitment, reward processing network recruitment and reward-control network integration) between non-cheaters and cheaters, as well as between non-liars and liars. The results showed that a higher degree of cognitive control network recruitment was associated with a greater likelihood of lying. Moreover, a higher degree of reward-cognitive control network integration was associated with a lower likelihood of cheating and lying. The degree of reward processing network recruitment was not associated with deceptive behaviors. These findings help to elucidate how neural mechanisms of cognitive control and reward processing contribute to deceptive behaviors in young children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101613"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145060756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intergenerational neuroimaging’s present and future: Considering sex as a biological variable to enhance knowledge of brain development through parent–offspring similarity","authors":"Izumi Matsudaira , Ryo Yamaguchi","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intergenerational neuroimaging, which is used to investigate brain similarities between parent–offspring dyads, promises to elucidate the neural substrates of intergenerational transmission. However, merely identifying similar brain regions or networks between parents and offspring is not sufficient to reveal the mechanisms underlying this transmission. To understand these mechanisms, it is necessary to consider the potential contributions of shared genetic and environmental factors to the development of brain features that are similar between parents and offspring. Sex as a biological variable (SABV), a key factor in intergenerational neuroimaging, provides crucial insights into brain development. Although sex-based differences in brain developmental trajectories have been investigated, the role of SABV in parent–offspring brain similarity has been overlooked. In this narrative review, we summarize the key findings of previous intergenerational neuroimaging studies, grouping them into three categories based on study design: studies of mother–offspring dyads, studies combining fathers and mothers, and studies distinguishing between father–offspring and mother–offspring dyads. Furthermore, we highlight the genetic and environmental factors that may underlie sex-specific parent–offspring brain similarities. Finally, we propose further considerations to clarify the significance of parent–offspring brain similarity in human brain development. Advancements in intergenerational neuroimaging may shed light on mechanisms by which mental health risk is transmitted across generations, potentially providing opportunities for more effective prevention, stratification, and treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101635"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145356649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Caitlyn R. Cody , Rebecca R. Hennessy , Heather C. Brenhouse, Juliet Y. Davidow
{"title":"Understanding adolescent anxiety through a neurodevelopmental lens: A comparative review of rodents and humans","authors":"Caitlyn R. Cody , Rebecca R. Hennessy , Heather C. Brenhouse, Juliet Y. Davidow","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adolescence is a dynamic time period, marked by significant neural and behavioral maturation. However, much remains unknown about how this maturation alters the way anxiety is expressed in this population, or how similar behavioral patterns may arise from divergent neural underpinnings. This translational review describes key differences between adolescent and adult manifestation of anxiety in rodents and humans. We suggest potential underlying developmental mechanisms in behavior and the brain across species that may contribute to age-related differences. We focus on cognitive factors that play a role in or are impaired by anxiety within three domains: fear, reward, and attentional processing. We review how and to what degree these processes and their interactions with anxiety manifest in youth compared to adults, and where known, with underlying neural circuits across species. Therefore, this review aims to provide insight into the translational neural and behavioral developmental nuances of anxiety in order to encourage further anxiety research utilizing adolescent humans and rodents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101620"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145222045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natalie G. Frye , Tehila Nugiel , Gabriella M. Alvarez , Mitch J. Prinstein , Jessica R. Cohen , Eva H. Telzer , Kristen A. Lindquist
{"title":"Functional organization of the allostatic interoceptive network in adolescence: Links to peer victimization and prospective depressive symptoms","authors":"Natalie G. Frye , Tehila Nugiel , Gabriella M. Alvarez , Mitch J. Prinstein , Jessica R. Cohen , Eva H. Telzer , Kristen A. Lindquist","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study examines the role of brain network organization in the prospective prediction of adolescent depressive symptoms and links to the social and psychological context. Using a path model with data from a larger longitudinal study of adolescents beginning in 6th-8th grade (N = 117, 55 % female, M<sub>age at scan</sub>= 12.99), we first established that organizational properties of brain networks theoretically linked to depression predicted greater depressive symptoms two years later. Specifically, when controlling for gender and initial depression, greater global efficiency of the allostatic interoceptive network (AIN) and greater segregation of the frontoparietal network (FPN) from the salience network (SN) predicted depressive symptoms an average of two years later. Linking these neural findings to psychological individual differences, we found that self-reported rumination mediated the effect of AIN global efficiency on prospective depressive symptoms. We further linked these neural findings to the social context by demonstrating that greater self-reported relational peer victimization prospectively predicted AIN global efficiency. Collectively, these findings situate the emergence of adolescent depressive symptoms as a confluence of brain organization properties, perceived social rejection, and individual differences in rumination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101621"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145207951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anthony Steven Dick , Jonathan S. Comer , Mohammadreza Bayat , Marilyn Curtis , Timothy Hayes , Shannon M. Pruden , Samuel W. Hawes , Raul Gonzalez , Angela R. Laird , Paulo A. Graziano
{"title":"Meaningful Associations Redux: Quantifying and interpreting effect size in the context of the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study","authors":"Anthony Steven Dick , Jonathan S. Comer , Mohammadreza Bayat , Marilyn Curtis , Timothy Hayes , Shannon M. Pruden , Samuel W. Hawes , Raul Gonzalez , Angela R. Laird , Paulo A. Graziano","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study represents a pioneering initiative that aims to unravel the complexities of behavioral and neural development in youth. In this paper, we address the challenges inherent in extracting meaningful insights from the extensive data compiled by the ABCD initiative. Our focus is on advocating for best practices in reproducible research, interpretation of effect size, and reporting of principled results. Central to this discourse is a detailed examination of effect sizes within the expansive ABCD dataset, and how they can be meaningfully interpreted in the context of large-scale research. We describe the hurdles associated with transitioning from conventional small-sample studies to the opportunities and challenges of large samples, including the phenomenon of statistically significant but practically trivial effects. To promote transparent and rigorous inference, we present a four-part framework to evaluate observed effects: researchers should <strong>define</strong> a smallest effect size of interest (SESOI), <strong>compare</strong> estimates to relevant benchmarks, <strong>test</strong> whether observed effects exceed meaningful thresholds (e.g., through equivalence testing), and <strong>visualize</strong> results to enhance interpretation and communication. Applying this framework yields a clearer, more cumulative understanding of effect size interpretation and contributes substantively to the refinement of scientific practices within adolescent brain and cognitive development research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101630"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Megan J. Heise , Serena K. Mon , Lindsay C. Bowman
{"title":"Analysis of event-related potential difference waves can benefit from linear mixed effects modeling: Recommendations for analyses and general model fitting","authors":"Megan J. Heise , Serena K. Mon , Lindsay C. Bowman","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Linear mixed effects models (LMEs) have advantages for analyzing mean amplitude event-related potential (ERP) data. Compared to ANOVA and linear regression, LMEs retain more subjects and yield unbiased parameter estimates by accounting for trial-level sources of variability. However, LME analysis of ERP mean amplitude <em>difference waves</em> may be problematic due to the need to pair single trial data to create trial-level difference waves. In both simulated and real pediatric ERP data, the present study compares ERP difference wave results across conventional ANOVA/regression analyses and six trial-level LME approaches in different low trial-count scenarios. We evaluate each approach based on accuracy of estimates and statistical power in simulated data, and magnitude of effect detected in real ERP data from 3- to 5-year-old neurotypical children (<em>N</em> = 64). Two analysis approaches were unbiased: creating trial-level difference waves by pairing trials on all study design features (the ‘exact match’ approach) and fitting an interaction term; and the interaction term had greater power to detect a significant effect in simulated data. Both simulations and analysis of real preschooler ERP data support using LMEs to analyze difference waves. We also include recommendations for researchers for picking a difference wave approach appropriate for their research question.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101614"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145304152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Margaret A. Sheridan , Brenden Tervo-Clemmens , Ece Demir-Lira , Anthony Steven Dick , Jamie L. Hanson , Leah H. Somerville , Chad M. Sylvester , Moriah E. Thomason , Sarah Whittle , Deanna M. Barch , Beatriz Luna
{"title":"Advances on design considerations in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","authors":"Margaret A. Sheridan , Brenden Tervo-Clemmens , Ece Demir-Lira , Anthony Steven Dick , Jamie L. Hanson , Leah H. Somerville , Chad M. Sylvester , Moriah E. Thomason , Sarah Whittle , Deanna M. Barch , Beatriz Luna","doi":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101627","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49083,"journal":{"name":"Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 101627"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}