Spatiotemporal dynamics of the human cortical functional hierarchy across the lifespan

Abstract

The human cortical functional hierarchy, spanning from primary sensorimotor to transmodal association regions, represents a fundamental principle of brain organisation. Here, we show lifespan changes in the sensorimotor-association (S-A) gradient in the cortical functional hierarchy using multimodal neuroimaging data from 33,247 participants aged 32 postmenstrual weeks to 80 years. We identify three critical neurodevelopmental milestones: initiation (third trimester to perinatal period), establishment (infancy to early childhood), and expansion-stabilisation (late childhood to adulthood). Pronounced gradient changes are predominantly observed during the first decade, with continued refinement extending into mid-adulthood. Spatiotemporally heterogeneous growth patterns in functional gradients align with evolutionary hierarchies, segregation-integration dynamics, structural maturation, and cognitive spectrum development, proceeding along a dominant S-A growth axis. These findings establish a unified neurodevelopmental framework that links connectome gradient dynamics to multifaceted functional and structural properties, advancing our understanding of cortical hierarchy maturation across the lifespan.