Duncan Astle
@duncanastle.bsky.social
Professor of Neuroinformatics at the University of Cambridge. Interested in child development, psychology, education and brains. He/him 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Duncan Astle
New preprint 🎉 Psych constructs are complex. Symptoms overlap, people rarely fit neat categories, and patterns are non-linear. Most methods compromise this richness. Self-Organising Maps don't. We provide a step-by-step tutorial with annotated R code to make them accessible.
doi.org/10.31234/osf...
doi.org/10.31234/osf...
December 16, 2025 at 5:19 PM
New preprint 🎉 Psych constructs are complex. Symptoms overlap, people rarely fit neat categories, and patterns are non-linear. Most methods compromise this richness. Self-Organising Maps don't. We provide a step-by-step tutorial with annotated R code to make them accessible.
doi.org/10.31234/osf...
doi.org/10.31234/osf...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
🚨new work with the dream team @danakarca.bsky.social @loopyluppi.bsky.social @fatemehhadaeghi.bsky.social @stuartoldham.bsky.social @duncanastle.bsky.social
We use game theory and show the brain is not optimally wired for communication and there’s more to its story:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
We use game theory and show the brain is not optimally wired for communication and there’s more to its story:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
December 15, 2025 at 8:01 AM
🚨new work with the dream team @danakarca.bsky.social @loopyluppi.bsky.social @fatemehhadaeghi.bsky.social @stuartoldham.bsky.social @duncanastle.bsky.social
We use game theory and show the brain is not optimally wired for communication and there’s more to its story:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
We use game theory and show the brain is not optimally wired for communication and there’s more to its story:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
A new study shows brain development isn’t as linear as expected.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0–90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 — dividing life into five distinct phases.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0–90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 — dividing life into five distinct phases.
New study shows how your brain changes at four key ages: 9, 32, 66 and 83
New research finds that brain development is not linear. There are distinct phases with unique characteristics.
wapo.st
December 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
A new study shows brain development isn’t as linear as expected.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0–90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 — dividing life into five distinct phases.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0–90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 — dividing life into five distinct phases.
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Had a great time talking to Maggie Penman about new research on lifespan brain development led by @alexamousley.bsky.social in @duncanastle.bsky.social's group.
This is a great summary of the study and a broader discussion of what brain research can teach us about important developmental phases.
This is a great summary of the study and a broader discussion of what brain research can teach us about important developmental phases.
A new study shows brain development isn’t as linear as expected.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0–90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 — dividing life into five distinct phases.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0–90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 — dividing life into five distinct phases.
New study shows how your brain changes at four key ages: 9, 32, 66 and 83
New research finds that brain development is not linear. There are distinct phases with unique characteristics.
wapo.st
December 11, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Had a great time talking to Maggie Penman about new research on lifespan brain development led by @alexamousley.bsky.social in @duncanastle.bsky.social's group.
This is a great summary of the study and a broader discussion of what brain research can teach us about important developmental phases.
This is a great summary of the study and a broader discussion of what brain research can teach us about important developmental phases.
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Utterly delighted to have been awarded 5 years of research funding from the ERC to study low-activity brain states that could underpin flexible rule use. Let’s see what "pinging" can tell us about how task sets are assembled and changed!
📣 Four exceptional researchers in the School of Biological Sciences have been awarded prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grants!
Congratulations to all ERC awardees!
@camzoology.bsky.social @pdncambridge.bsky.social @campsydept.bsky.social
Congratulations to all ERC awardees!
@camzoology.bsky.social @pdncambridge.bsky.social @campsydept.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Utterly delighted to have been awarded 5 years of research funding from the ERC to study low-activity brain states that could underpin flexible rule use. Let’s see what "pinging" can tell us about how task sets are assembled and changed!
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Impact of demographic change in one image.
December 9, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Impact of demographic change in one image.
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Our brain wiring seems to undergo four major turning points at ages 9, 32, 66 and 83, which could influence our capacity to learn and our risk of certain conditions
Your brain undergoes four dramatic periods of change from age 0 to 90
Our brain wiring seems to undergo four major turning points at ages 9, 32, 66 and 83, which could influence our capacity to learn and our risk of certain conditions
www.newscientist.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Our brain wiring seems to undergo four major turning points at ages 9, 32, 66 and 83, which could influence our capacity to learn and our risk of certain conditions
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Open access link to new study in Nature Communications:
Topological turning points across the human lifespan.
🧪🧠 #neuroskyence
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Topological turning points across the human lifespan.
🧪🧠 #neuroskyence
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Topological turning points across the human lifespan - Nature Communications
Researchers discovered five phases of brain rewiring across the lifespan. The eras of childhood, adolescence, adulthood, early aging, and late aging each have characteristic rewiring of structural con...
www.nature.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Open access link to new study in Nature Communications:
Topological turning points across the human lifespan.
🧪🧠 #neuroskyence
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Topological turning points across the human lifespan.
🧪🧠 #neuroskyence
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
The human brain goes through distinct phases in life, with turning points at ages 9, 32, 66 & 83, scientists have revealed.
~4,000 people up to the age of 90 had scans to reveal the connections between their brain cells.
We "peak" in our early 30s ...
🧪🧠 #neuroskyence
www.bbc.com/news/article...
~4,000 people up to the age of 90 had scans to reveal the connections between their brain cells.
We "peak" in our early 30s ...
🧪🧠 #neuroskyence
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Four pivotal ages in your brain's development revealed in new scientific study
Brain scans on thousands of people reveal the dramatic shifts the brain goes through between birth and death.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The human brain goes through distinct phases in life, with turning points at ages 9, 32, 66 & 83, scientists have revealed.
~4,000 people up to the age of 90 had scans to reveal the connections between their brain cells.
We "peak" in our early 30s ...
🧪🧠 #neuroskyence
www.bbc.com/news/article...
~4,000 people up to the age of 90 had scans to reveal the connections between their brain cells.
We "peak" in our early 30s ...
🧪🧠 #neuroskyence
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
One of our top-rated posts on @altmetric.com this past week was published open access in @natcomms.nature.com. You can read 'Topological turning points across the human lifespan' here: spklr.io/63329BX7zL
#Neuroskyence #neuroimaging 🧠
#Neuroskyence #neuroimaging 🧠
Topological turning points across the human lifespan - Nature Communications
Researchers discovered five phases of brain rewiring across the lifespan. The eras of childhood, adolescence, adulthood, early aging, and late aging each have characteristic rewiring of structural connections across the whole brain.
spklr.io
November 28, 2025 at 8:25 PM
One of our top-rated posts on @altmetric.com this past week was published open access in @natcomms.nature.com. You can read 'Topological turning points across the human lifespan' here: spklr.io/63329BX7zL
#Neuroskyence #neuroimaging 🧠
#Neuroskyence #neuroimaging 🧠
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Another reason why you really can't beat yourself up over mistakes in the past -
Human #brains have 5 distinct 'epochs' in a lifetime, study finds www.nbcnews.com/science/scie...
#braindevelopment #research #neuroimaging #neuralnetwork #mentalhealth #brainarchitecture
Human #brains have 5 distinct 'epochs' in a lifetime, study finds www.nbcnews.com/science/scie...
#braindevelopment #research #neuroimaging #neuralnetwork #mentalhealth #brainarchitecture
Human brains have 5 distinct 'epochs' in a lifetime, study finds
During each of these phases, our brains show markedly different characteristics in brain architecture, according to the new findings.
www.nbcnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Another reason why you really can't beat yourself up over mistakes in the past -
Human #brains have 5 distinct 'epochs' in a lifetime, study finds www.nbcnews.com/science/scie...
#braindevelopment #research #neuroimaging #neuralnetwork #mentalhealth #brainarchitecture
Human #brains have 5 distinct 'epochs' in a lifetime, study finds www.nbcnews.com/science/scie...
#braindevelopment #research #neuroimaging #neuralnetwork #mentalhealth #brainarchitecture
Reposted by Duncan Astle
New @mrccbu.bsky.social @campsydept.bsky.social study by Alexa Mousley, Richard Bethlehem, Fang-Cheng Yeh & @duncanastle.bsky.social shows four pivotal ages during brain development
bbc.com/news/article...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
bbc.com/news/article...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Four pivotal ages in your brain's development revealed in new scientific study
Brain scans on thousands of people reveal the dramatic shifts the brain goes through between birth and death.
bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:11 AM
New @mrccbu.bsky.social @campsydept.bsky.social study by Alexa Mousley, Richard Bethlehem, Fang-Cheng Yeh & @duncanastle.bsky.social shows four pivotal ages during brain development
bbc.com/news/article...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
bbc.com/news/article...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Now it's the @mrccbu.bsky.social's @duncanastle.bsky.social's turn to excite our #COGNESTIC audience. No problem when you are "Building networks to understand neurodevelopment".
September 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Now it's the @mrccbu.bsky.social's @duncanastle.bsky.social's turn to excite our #COGNESTIC audience. No problem when you are "Building networks to understand neurodevelopment".
Reposted by Duncan Astle
*New Paper* How genes for IQ shape brain organisation. Amazing work led by Alicja Monaghan @mrccbu.bsky.social reveals 2 ways. First, they’re associated w/ the ‘costs’ of network formation. Second, they define ‘high value’ areas within the network. How she did it…🧵
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
Brain wiring economics, network organisation and population-level genomics
Abstract. What role do our genes play in shaping the structural organisation of the living human brain? Across a sample of 2,153 children (9–11 years old), we address this question, focusing on common...
doi.org
July 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
*New Paper* How genes for IQ shape brain organisation. Amazing work led by Alicja Monaghan @mrccbu.bsky.social reveals 2 ways. First, they’re associated w/ the ‘costs’ of network formation. Second, they define ‘high value’ areas within the network. How she did it…🧵
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
*New Paper* How genes for IQ shape brain organisation. Amazing work led by Alicja Monaghan @mrccbu.bsky.social reveals 2 ways. First, they’re associated w/ the ‘costs’ of network formation. Second, they define ‘high value’ areas within the network. How she did it…🧵
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
Brain wiring economics, network organisation and population-level genomics
Abstract. What role do our genes play in shaping the structural organisation of the living human brain? Across a sample of 2,153 children (9–11 years old), we address this question, focusing on common...
doi.org
July 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
*New Paper* How genes for IQ shape brain organisation. Amazing work led by Alicja Monaghan @mrccbu.bsky.social reveals 2 ways. First, they’re associated w/ the ‘costs’ of network formation. Second, they define ‘high value’ areas within the network. How she did it…🧵
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Deadline for this funded PhD to work with me and @duncanastle.bsky.social is soon! 26 July.
The student must be a woman (because it’s based at Newnham College) and eligible for UK home fees.
The student must be a woman (because it’s based at Newnham College) and eligible for UK home fees.
🚨 Funded PhD @mrccbu.bsky.social!
Work with top minds — @duncanastle.bsky.social & @sjblakemore.bsky.social on the impact of #developmental differences on #education!🧠📚
A month to apply ⏰
For details see👇
🔗 drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
Newnham-based 👩🎓💅
#psychology #cambridge #research
Work with top minds — @duncanastle.bsky.social & @sjblakemore.bsky.social on the impact of #developmental differences on #education!🧠📚
A month to apply ⏰
For details see👇
🔗 drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
Newnham-based 👩🎓💅
#psychology #cambridge #research
drive.google.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Deadline for this funded PhD to work with me and @duncanastle.bsky.social is soon! 26 July.
The student must be a woman (because it’s based at Newnham College) and eligible for UK home fees.
The student must be a woman (because it’s based at Newnham College) and eligible for UK home fees.
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Alert! ... for the child development world!
@fluxsociety.bsky.social @fitngin.bsky.social
The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study has released its first data wave - it’s massive.
Check here:
docs.hbcdstudy.org
and here:
nbdc-datahub.org
Here’s why it matters 🧠🍼
@fluxsociety.bsky.social @fitngin.bsky.social
The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study has released its first data wave - it’s massive.
Check here:
docs.hbcdstudy.org
and here:
nbdc-datahub.org
Here’s why it matters 🧠🍼
June 29, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Alert! ... for the child development world!
@fluxsociety.bsky.social @fitngin.bsky.social
The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study has released its first data wave - it’s massive.
Check here:
docs.hbcdstudy.org
and here:
nbdc-datahub.org
Here’s why it matters 🧠🍼
@fluxsociety.bsky.social @fitngin.bsky.social
The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study has released its first data wave - it’s massive.
Check here:
docs.hbcdstudy.org
and here:
nbdc-datahub.org
Here’s why it matters 🧠🍼
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Absolute honour to chair this panel of superstars @royalsociety.org yesterday, including @duncanastle.bsky.social & @tamsinford.bsky.social
June 25, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Absolute honour to chair this panel of superstars @royalsociety.org yesterday, including @duncanastle.bsky.social & @tamsinford.bsky.social
Reposted by Duncan Astle
New paper in Imaging Neuroscience by Alicja Monaghan, Danyal Akarca, and Duncan E. Astle:
Brain wiring economics, network organisation and population-level genomics
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
Brain wiring economics, network organisation and population-level genomics
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
June 11, 2025 at 3:46 AM
New paper in Imaging Neuroscience by Alicja Monaghan, Danyal Akarca, and Duncan E. Astle:
Brain wiring economics, network organisation and population-level genomics
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
Brain wiring economics, network organisation and population-level genomics
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
PhD studentship at Cambridge!
Closing date for applications: 26/07/25
You need to be a woman and eligible for UK home fees.
And interested in doing a PhD in developmental cognitive neuroscience and education, based in Cambridge, UK (not hybrid/remote)
Closing date for applications: 26/07/25
You need to be a woman and eligible for UK home fees.
And interested in doing a PhD in developmental cognitive neuroscience and education, based in Cambridge, UK (not hybrid/remote)
Funded PhD opportunity with @sjblakemore.bsky.social and I, at Cambridge. We are looking for someone interested in developmental science, to start in the coming academic year. Please share it with anyone you think might be interested (see details attached 😁).
drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
Funded PhD opportunity.pdf
drive.google.com
June 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
PhD studentship at Cambridge!
Closing date for applications: 26/07/25
You need to be a woman and eligible for UK home fees.
And interested in doing a PhD in developmental cognitive neuroscience and education, based in Cambridge, UK (not hybrid/remote)
Closing date for applications: 26/07/25
You need to be a woman and eligible for UK home fees.
And interested in doing a PhD in developmental cognitive neuroscience and education, based in Cambridge, UK (not hybrid/remote)
Reposted by Duncan Astle
🧠⚖️📉 How does the cortical excitation-inhibition ratio mature during adolescence?
We asked this in our new paper just out in #ScienceAdvances ✨
“Adolescent maturation of cortical excitation-inhibition ratio based on individualized biophysical network modeling”
📄 www.science.org/doi/full/10....
🧵⤵️
We asked this in our new paper just out in #ScienceAdvances ✨
“Adolescent maturation of cortical excitation-inhibition ratio based on individualized biophysical network modeling”
📄 www.science.org/doi/full/10....
🧵⤵️
Adolescent maturation of cortical excitation-inhibition ratio based on individualized biophysical network modeling
Individualized simulations reveal a decrease in excitation-inhibition ratio in association areas throughout adolescence.
www.science.org
June 5, 2025 at 7:53 AM
🧠⚖️📉 How does the cortical excitation-inhibition ratio mature during adolescence?
We asked this in our new paper just out in #ScienceAdvances ✨
“Adolescent maturation of cortical excitation-inhibition ratio based on individualized biophysical network modeling”
📄 www.science.org/doi/full/10....
🧵⤵️
We asked this in our new paper just out in #ScienceAdvances ✨
“Adolescent maturation of cortical excitation-inhibition ratio based on individualized biophysical network modeling”
📄 www.science.org/doi/full/10....
🧵⤵️
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Opportunity to do a PhD in developmental science alongside some absolutely fantastic scientists!! Share widely!
Funded PhD opportunity with @sjblakemore.bsky.social and I, at Cambridge. We are looking for someone interested in developmental science, to start in the coming academic year. Please share it with anyone you think might be interested (see details attached 😁).
drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
Funded PhD opportunity.pdf
drive.google.com
May 29, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Opportunity to do a PhD in developmental science alongside some absolutely fantastic scientists!! Share widely!
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Amazing funded phd opportunity with great supervisors👇👇👇👇👇
Funded PhD opportunity with @sjblakemore.bsky.social and I, at Cambridge. We are looking for someone interested in developmental science, to start in the coming academic year. Please share it with anyone you think might be interested (see details attached 😁).
drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
Funded PhD opportunity.pdf
drive.google.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Amazing funded phd opportunity with great supervisors👇👇👇👇👇
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Do you like brain network hubs?🧠🌐✳️Do you like genes?🧬What about neurodevelopment?👶What if I told you the latest work by @garedaba.bsky.social and myself combined all of these?🤯🤯🤯
See Gareth's thread for a primer of our findings, then read the paper for the details!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
See Gareth's thread for a primer of our findings, then read the paper for the details!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
May 28, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Do you like brain network hubs?🧠🌐✳️Do you like genes?🧬What about neurodevelopment?👶What if I told you the latest work by @garedaba.bsky.social and myself combined all of these?🤯🤯🤯
See Gareth's thread for a primer of our findings, then read the paper for the details!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
See Gareth's thread for a primer of our findings, then read the paper for the details!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
This is a really cool project! Please repost to anyone interested at the intersection between developmental cognitive neuroscience and education!
Funded PhD opportunity with @sjblakemore.bsky.social and I, at Cambridge. We are looking for someone interested in developmental science, to start in the coming academic year. Please share it with anyone you think might be interested (see details attached 😁).
drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...
Funded PhD opportunity.pdf
drive.google.com
May 27, 2025 at 2:23 PM
This is a really cool project! Please repost to anyone interested at the intersection between developmental cognitive neuroscience and education!