Duncan Astle
@duncanastle.bsky.social
Professor of Neuroinformatics at the University of Cambridge. Interested in child development, psychology, education and brains. He/him π³οΈβπ
Reposted by Duncan Astle
A bit old now, but great Registered Report by Maya Raza (not on here)
Do novel experiences shortly before or after learning improve memory for what was learned?
They donβt according to Raza et al., but simply resting might.
Read about novel VR experiences versus wakeful rest as ways to improve memory: https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218251346156
They donβt according to Raza et al., but simply resting might.
Read about novel VR experiences versus wakeful rest as ways to improve memory: https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218251346156
February 5, 2026 at 6:36 PM
A bit old now, but great Registered Report by Maya Raza (not on here)
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Quite apart from the policy issues here, why did UKRI choose to release this important letter on a Sunday teatime???
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Quite apart from the policy issues here, why did UKRI choose to release this important letter on a Sunday teatime???
Reposted by Duncan Astle
New preprint π 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 π 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
π¨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 thereβs 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 thereβs more to its story:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
December 15, 2025 at 8:01 AM
π¨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 thereβs 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 thereβs more to its story:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
A new study shows brain development isnβt as linear as expected.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0β90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 β dividing life into five distinct phases.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0β90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 β 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 isnβt as linear as expected.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0β90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 β dividing life into five distinct phases.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0β90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 β 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 isnβt as linear as expected.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0β90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 β dividing life into five distinct phases.
After analyzing nearly 4,000 scans from ages 0β90, researchers found major structural shifts at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83 β 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. Letβs see what "pinging" can tell us about how task sets are assembled and changed!
π£ 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. Letβs 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.
π§ͺπ§ #neuroskyence
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Topological turning points across the human lifespan.
π§ͺπ§ #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.
π§ͺπ§ #neuroskyence
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Topological turning points across the human lifespan.
π§ͺπ§ #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 ...
π§ͺπ§ #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 ...
π§ͺπ§ #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 ...
π§ͺπ§ #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 ...
π§ͺπ§ #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 π§
#Neuroskyence #neuroimaging π§
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 π§
#Neuroskyence #neuroimaging π§
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, theyβre associated w/ the βcostsβ of network formation. Second, they define βhigh valueβ areas within the network. How she did itβ¦π§΅
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 (9β11 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, theyβre associated w/ the βcostsβ of network formation. Second, they define βhigh valueβ areas within the network. How she did itβ¦π§΅
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
Want the details? Check out the open access paper. Thanks to funders MRC, @templetonworld.bsky.social,
and supporters @camneuro.bsky.social, @mrccbu.bsky.social, and @4dlab.bsky.social
and supporters @camneuro.bsky.social, @mrccbu.bsky.social, and @4dlab.bsky.social
July 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Want the details? Check out the open access paper. Thanks to funders MRC, @templetonworld.bsky.social,
and supporters @camneuro.bsky.social, @mrccbu.bsky.social, and @4dlab.bsky.social
and supporters @camneuro.bsky.social, @mrccbu.bsky.social, and @4dlab.bsky.social
These genes in particular seems to be responsible for cellular and biological processes involved in synapse development and transmitter and anion-gated channel activity.
July 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
These genes in particular seems to be responsible for cellular and biological processes involved in synapse development and transmitter and anion-gated channel activity.
Second, she used transcription data from the
@alleninstitute.org, and found that the genes in the PGS particularly overlap with the regional distribution of the βvaluesβ part of the GNM β that is they define the areas the model wants to connect.
@alleninstitute.org, and found that the genes in the PGS particularly overlap with the regional distribution of the βvaluesβ part of the GNM β that is they define the areas the model wants to connect.
July 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Second, she used transcription data from the
@alleninstitute.org, and found that the genes in the PGS particularly overlap with the regional distribution of the βvaluesβ part of the GNM β that is they define the areas the model wants to connect.
@alleninstitute.org, and found that the genes in the PGS particularly overlap with the regional distribution of the βvaluesβ part of the GNM β that is they define the areas the model wants to connect.
Those with *high* polygenic scores (PGS) for cognitive ability had a *softer* βdistance penaltyβ in their GNM. The end result is that networks form slightly more βshortest pathsβ. The end result? Slightly more stochastic, variable and efficient brain networks.
July 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Those with *high* polygenic scores (PGS) for cognitive ability had a *softer* βdistance penaltyβ in their GNM. The end result is that networks form slightly more βshortest pathsβ. The end result? Slightly more stochastic, variable and efficient brain networks.
First, she built connectomes from ~2k 10yr olds from ABCD. To each she fit a generative network model (GNM) β a simple computational model for simulating their topology.
July 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
First, she built connectomes from ~2k 10yr olds from ABCD. To each she fit a generative network model (GNM) β a simple computational model for simulating their topology.
*New Paper* How genes for IQ shape brain organisation. Amazing work led by Alicja Monaghan @mrccbu.bsky.social reveals 2 ways. First, theyβre associated w/ the βcostsβ of network formation. Second, they define βhigh valueβ areas within the network. How she did itβ¦π§΅
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 (9β11 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, theyβre associated w/ the βcostsβ of network formation. Second, they define βhigh valueβ areas within the network. How she did itβ¦π§΅
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
doi.org/10.1162/IMAG...
Reposted by Duncan Astle
Alert! ... for the child development world!
@fluxsociety.bsky.social @fitngin.bsky.social βͺ
The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study has released its first data wave - itβs massive.
Check here:
docs.hbcdstudy.org
and here:
nbdc-datahub.org
Hereβs why it matters π§ πΌ
@fluxsociety.bsky.social @fitngin.bsky.social βͺ
The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study has released its first data wave - itβs massive.
Check here:
docs.hbcdstudy.org
and here:
nbdc-datahub.org
Hereβs why it matters π§ πΌ
June 29, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Alert! ... for the child development world!
@fluxsociety.bsky.social @fitngin.bsky.social βͺ
The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study has released its first data wave - itβs massive.
Check here:
docs.hbcdstudy.org
and here:
nbdc-datahub.org
Hereβs why it matters π§ πΌ
@fluxsociety.bsky.social @fitngin.bsky.social βͺ
The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study has released its first data wave - itβs massive.
Check here:
docs.hbcdstudy.org
and here:
nbdc-datahub.org
Hereβs why it matters π§ πΌ
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