Human imaging studies have begun to provide support for strengthening in the connections of dopamine rich frontostriatal circuitry, across development. Using diffusion tensor imaging and functional magnetic resonance (fMRI), Casey and colleagues 68, 69 and others 70 have shown greater strength in distal connections within these circuits across development and have linked connection strength between prefrontal and striatalregions with the capacity to effectively engage cognitive control in typically and atypically developing individuals 68, 69. These studies illustrate the importance of signaling within corticostriatal circuitry which support the capacity to effectively engage in cognitive control.
