The Neurocognome in Childhood - Relevance of Neurocognitive Network Organization

Neurocognitive functioning is crucial for child development, but the relevance of interplay between neurocognitive functions in childhood remains poorly understood. This explores the relevance of neurocognitive network organization in childhood by the application of network theory to neurocognitive data at the individual level. A community sample of children (N = 132), between 6 and 18 years of age (M = 11.4) performed computerized neurocognitive testing. Neurocognitive connectivity was calculated between each pair of test scores, creating individual connectivity matrices after which graph theory was applied to determine global network organization and local network organization. The relation between demographics and neurocognitive network organization was investigated with correlation analysis. The relevance for intelligence (Wechsler short forms) and behavioral problems (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) was assessed with multivariate regression. K-means clustering was applied to investigate the correspondence between typical neurocognitive network organizations and conventionally assessed neurocognitive performance. The results show that global as well as local neurocognitive network organization is related to age, intelligence and behavior problems. Moreover, children from neurocognitive clusters with typical configurations of global network organization also differed in terms of conventionally assessed neurocognitive performance. In conclusion, this study provides cross-sectional evidence suggesting the presence of developmental reorganization of the interplay between neurocognitive functions. Neurocognitive network organization is also related to crucial aspects of functioning in children (intelligence, behavior problems) and the level of conventionally assed neurocognitive performance. Thereby, this study shows that individual network analysis provides a complementary view on the child functioning and may hold relevance for a better understanding of child development and the influence of neuropathology on daily life functioning.