When is structural connectivity established in the brain?

The most accurate option regarding when structural connectivity is established in the brain is when communication between two areas occurs by neural pathways. Structural connectivity refers to the physical and anatomical connections between different brain regions, which largely consist of axons that form pathways and enable communication.

Neural pathways develop during critical periods of brain development, often influenced by experiences and environmental interactions. As neurons form synapses and establish these pathways, different areas of the brain begin to work together. This connectivity is vital for functional brain processes, as it determines how information is transmitted between regions.

While prenatal development is significant for overall brain formation, structural connectivity specifically pertains to the establishment of these neural pathways rather than just brain formation alone. Synaptic pruning, which occurs later in development, refines these connections rather than creating them. Furthermore, mature neurons may play a role in these processes, but the actual establishment of connectivity is centered on the formation of functional pathways between different brain regions.