Three Gradients Shape Lifespan Cortical Hierarchy

A large-scale lifespan study maps three core functional gradients—sensory–association (SA), visual–somatosensory (VS), and modulation–representation (MR)—across birth to 100 years, showing early anchoring to primary sensory systems, differentiation along association and control axes through development, and later dedifferentiation with aging; these gradients relate to cognitive performance, structure–function coupling, and transcriptomic patterns, providing a normative lifespan atlas for brain organization.