In humans, the period from term birth to ∼2 years of age is characterized by rapid and dynamic brain development and plays an important role in cognitive development and risk of disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Recent imaging studies have begun to delineate the growth trajectories of brain structure and function in the first years after birth and their relationship to cognition and risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. This Review discusses the development of grey and white matter and structural and functional networks, as well as genetic and environmental influences on early-childhood brain development. We also discuss initial evidence regarding the usefulness of early imaging biomarkers for predicting cognitive outcomes and risk of neuropsychiatric disorders.

对于人类来说，从足月出生到~ 2 岁这一时期的特点是大脑快速、动态地发育，在认知发展和自闭症和精神分裂症等疾病的风险中发挥着重要作用。最近的影像学研究已经开始描绘出生后最初几年大脑结构和功能的生长轨迹及其与认知和神经精神疾病风险的关系。本综述讨论了灰质和白质的发育以及结构和功能网络，以及遗传和环境对幼儿大脑发育的影响。我们还讨论了早期成像生物标志物在预测认知结果和神经精神疾病风险方面的有用性的初步证据。