Genomic connectivity networks based on the BrainSpan atlas of the developing human brain

The human brain comprises systems of networks that span the molecular, cellular, anatomic and functional levels. Molecular studies of the developing brain have focused on elucidating networks among gene products that may drive cellular brain development by functioning together in biological pathways. On the other hand, studies of the brain connectome attempt to determine how anatomically distinct brain regions are connected to each other, either anatomically (diffusion tensor imaging) or functionally (functional MRI and EEG), and how they change over development. A global examination of the relationship between gene expression and connectivity in the developing human brain is necessary to understand how the genetic signature of different brain regions instructs connections to other regions. Furthermore, analyzing the development of connectivity networks based on the spatio-temporal dynamics of gene expression provides a new insight into the effect of neurodevelopmental disease genes on brain networks. In this work, we construct connectivity networks between brain regions based on the similarity of their gene expression signature, namely: Genomic Connectivity Networks (GCNs). Genomic connectivity networks were constructed based on the BrainSpan atlas, which provides a transcriptome-wide expression data of the developing human brain. The main goal is to understand how the genetic signature of each brain region instructs its connections with other regions across development. Additionally, we assess the differences in connectivity patterns of networks constructed based on genes associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder (autism spectrum disorder; ASD). Using a graph theoretical approach, we characterized the neurodevelopmental changes in these networks.