How Does Brain Connectivity Change with Age and Disease?
Brain connectivity undergoes significant changes across the lifespan and can be altered in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. During development, there is a refinement of synaptic connections through processes like synaptic pruning. In aging, there is often a decline in connectivity, particularly in regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders are associated with disrupted connectivity patterns, which can contribute to cognitive and behavioral deficits.
