Biology subjects

Treder, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Treder, N..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Early development of cerebellar functional connectivity

The cerebellum makes a critical contribution to cognitive and behavioural function, extending well beyond motor control, and is recognised as an important determinant of neurodevelopmental outcome. Despite this, little is known about the foundations of cerebellar functional organisation in early life. Addressing this gap is essential for establishing typical developmental trajectories against which atypical development can be assessed. Here, we analysed fMRI data from term-born neonates (n=155) scanned between 37 and 44 weeks postmenstrual age and mapped intra-cerebellar and cerebro-cerebellar functional connectivity across multiple levels of organisation. We identified 13 intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) within the neonatal cerebellum that recapitulated adult subdivisions, with two ICNs showing age-related increases in coverage and strength. Analysis of cerebro-cerebellar connectivity identified 15 sensory, motor and association cerebral clusters, seven increasing connectivity with age. Functional gradient analysis identified a continuous axis from somatomotor to association regions within intra-cerebellar and cerebro-cerebellar organisation, which became more pronounced with age. Together, these findings suggest that the foundations of adult cerebellar functional organisation are present at birth but undergo rapid and regionally heterogeneous maturation over the first weeks of postnatal life. This developmental framework provides a normative reference for understanding cerebellar development and its implications for later neurodevelopmental variation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Emergence of long- and short-range functional connectivity shapes neonatal brain gradients

The emergence of macroscale brain organisation during the perinatal period represents a critical but poorly understood process. Using resting-state fMRI in 325 term-born neonates within the first month of postnatal life, we characterised the early emergence of macroscale brain organisation with functional gradients. Neonatal functional gradients showed a distinct pattern compared with the canonical adult gradients: the principal gradient in neonates, separating the primary sensorimotor and visual networks, corresponded to the secondary gradient in adults (sensorimotor-visual axis), whereas the secondary gradient in neonates, spanning from primary visual to association networks, aligned with the principal gradient in adults (sensorimotor-association axis). We identified distance-dependent functional connectivity as a key mechanism shaping perinatal functional gradients and potentially underlying the protracted development of the sensorimotor-association hierarchy in neonates. Regions with a higher proportion of short-range functional connectivity contributed more to the sensorimotor-visual gradient in neonates, while regions with a greater proportion of middle-to long-range functional connectivity drive the sensorimotor-association hierarchy. Together, these findings highlight the critical role of short- and long-range functional connectivity in shaping neonatal macroscale functional hierarchy. Disruptions to this process during the perinatal period may alter macroscale brain organisation and contribute to the early origins of neurodevelopmental conditions. Significance statementMacroscale brain organisation, characterised by functional gradients, is a fundamental feature of the adult brain and is closely linked to neurodevelopmental conditions. Characterising its emergence in early life and the underlying mechanisms is therefore critical for understanding typical and atypical brain development. Here, we showed that macroscale brain organisation is present at birth, with neonatal functional gradients showing a reversed pattern compared to adults, highlighting the early maturation of primary visual and sensorimotor networks. We further demonstrated that the perinatal development of long- and short-range functional connectivity shapes neonatal functional gradients, identifying a potential mechanism through which early disruptions in functional connectivity may contribute to later neurodevelopmental outcomes.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Functional recruitment of astrocyte-derived neurons into the mouse visual cortex

Inducing neurogenesis from glia could permit circuit remodeling and neuron replacement in the brain. Indirect evidence suggests that glia-to-neuron reprogramming is feasible, but the dynamics of conversion have not been directly observed, and it remains unclear whether glia-derived cortical neurons can functionally integrate into brain circuits. Here, we use two-photon imaging to visualize the reprogramming of astroglia into induced neurons in the mouse cortex in vivo. We track the emergence of spontaneous neuron-like calcium transients in astrocyte-derived induced neurons, demonstrating their functional activity in vivo. Importantly, these induced neurons exhibit orientation tuned, visually evoked calcium responses, demonstrating their functional integration into cortical circuitry - a prerequisite for their utility in circuit repair. Thus, astrocytes can be recruited to generate functional neurons in the postnatal cortex, enabling circuit remodeling in perinatal injury or neurodevelopmental disorders without relying on external cellular sources.

neuroscience↗