Developmental pattern of association fibers and their interaction with associated cortical microstructures in 0-5 month-old infants

The present study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal developmental pattern of association fibers in infants aged 0-5 months and the interaction between these fibers and the associated cortex utilizing FBA based on HARDI data. We found that the C-shaped fibers demonstrate an approximately symmetrical along-track pattern with more advanced development in the middle segments than the extremities; the horizontally oriented fibers manifest that the anterior segments started later but developed faster than the posterior segments. Mediation analysis revealed the mediation effect of cortical GM on the development of WM was more prominent than that of WM on GM.