Neurovariability as a signature of adaptive brain function
Neurovariability refers to the naturally occurring differences in brain structure and functional organisation across individuals. Rather than being noise, this variability reflects an adaptive feature of human neurobiology, supporting diversity, flexibility, learning, and resilience across evolution and lifespan. Here, we summarise the anatomical, functional, and evolutionary foundations of neurovariability, its relevance to health and disease, and the current limitations of methods for quantifying it. By understanding neurovariability as an emergent property of complex systems, we highlight its importance in advancing personalised neuroscience.
Authors
- Stephanie J. Forkel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0493-0283)
- Michel Thiebaut de Schotten (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0329-1814)
- Lilit Dulyan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8652-7828)
- Kurt G. Schilling (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3686-7645)
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Université de Bordeaux (FR)
- University of the Witwatersrand (ZA)
- Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (FR)
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives (FR)
- Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (NL)
- Brain Physiology Lab (FR)
- TE Connectivity (France) (FR)
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Brain Structure and Function
- Published
- 2026-06-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-026-03138-0
- Primary Topic
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
- Stichting Dondersfonds
- National Institutes of Health
- European Research Council