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Developing brain asymmetry shapes cognitive and psychiatric outcomes in adolescence

Author

Listed:
  • Xinran Wu

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University, Ministry of Education)

  • Kai Zhang

    (East China Normal University)

  • Nanyu Kuang

    (National Institutes of Health)

  • Xiangzhen Kong

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Miao Cao

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University, Ministry of Education)

  • Zhengxu Lian

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University, Ministry of Education)

  • Yu Liu

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University, Ministry of Education)

  • Huanxin Fan

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University, Ministry of Education)

  • Gechang Yu

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital)

  • Zhaowen Liu

    (School of Computer Science of Northwestern Polytechnical University)

  • Wei Cheng

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University, Ministry of Education)

  • Tianye Jia

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University, Ministry of Education)

  • Barbara J. Sahakian

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Trevor W. Robbins

    (Fudan University
    Fulbourn Hospital)

  • Jianfeng Feng

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University, Ministry of Education
    Shanghai Center for Mathematical Sciences
    University of Warwick)

  • Gunter Schumann

    (Fudan University
    The University of Hong Kong
    Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin
    Fudan University)

  • Lena Palaniyappan

    (McGill University
    Western University
    University of Western Ontario
    Western University)

  • Jie Zhang

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University, Ministry of Education)

Abstract

Cerebral asymmetry, fundamental to various cognitive functions, is often disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders. While brain growth has been extensively studied, the maturation of brain asymmetry in children and the factors influencing it in adolescence remain poorly understood. We analyze longitudinal data from 11,270 children aged 10–14 years in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Our analysis maps the developmental trajectory of structural brain asymmetry. We identify significant age-related, modality-specific development patterns. These patterns link to crystallized intelligence and mental health problems, but with weak correlations. Genetically, structural asymmetry relates to synaptic processes and neuron projections, likely through asymmetric synaptic pruning. At the microstructural level, corpus callosum integrity emerged as a key factor modulating the developing asymmetry. Environmentally, favorable perinatal conditions were associated with prolonged corpus callosum development, which affected future asymmetry patterns and cognitive outcomes. These findings underscore the dynamic yet predictable interactions between brain asymmetry, its structural determinants, and cognitive and psychiatric outcomes during a pivotal developmental stage. Our results provide empirical support for the adaptive plasticity theory in cerebral asymmetry and offer insights into both cognitive maturation and potential risk for early-onset mental health problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinran Wu & Kai Zhang & Nanyu Kuang & Xiangzhen Kong & Miao Cao & Zhengxu Lian & Yu Liu & Huanxin Fan & Gechang Yu & Zhaowen Liu & Wei Cheng & Tianye Jia & Barbara J. Sahakian & Trevor W. Robbins & Ji, 2025. "Developing brain asymmetry shapes cognitive and psychiatric outcomes in adolescence," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59110-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59110-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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