Mapping gene transcription and neurocognition across human neocortex

Patterns of gene expression vary across the human cerebral cortex. Here, Misic et al. reveal a ventromedial-dorsolateral gradient of gene assemblies and show that this corresponds to a functional gradient between affective and perceptual domains. Regulation of gene expression drives protein interactions that govern synaptic wiring and neuronal activity. The resulting coordinated activity among neuronal populations supports complex psychological processes, yet how gene expression shapes cognition and emotion remains unknown. Here, we directly bridge the microscale and macroscale by mapping gene expression patterns to functional activation patterns across the cortical sheet. Applying unsupervised learning to the Allen Human Brain Atlas and Neurosynth databases, we identify a ventromedial-dorsolateral gradient of gene assemblies that separate affective and perceptual domains. This topographic molecular-psychological signature reflects the hierarchical organization of the neocortex, including systematic variations in cell type, myeloarchitecture, laminar differentiation and intrinsic network affiliation. In addition, this molecular-psychological signature strengthens over neurodevelopment and can be replicated in two independent repositories. Collectively, our results reveal spatially covarying transcriptomic and cognitive architectures, highlighting the influence that molecular mechanisms exert on psychological processes.

Automated summary

The study reveals a gradient of gene assemblies in the human cerebral cortex that separate affective and perceptual domains. This molecular-psychological signature reflects the hierarchical organization of the neocortex and strengthens over neurodevelopment, being replicable in different repositories. The results highlight the influence of molecular mechanisms on psychological processes.