Human Brain Networks in Physiological Aging: A Graph Theoretical Analysis of Cortical Connectivity from EEG Data

摘要: Modern analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms provides information on dynamic brain connectivity. To test the hypothesis that aging processes modulate connectivity network, EEG recording was conducted 113 healthy volunteers. They were divided into three groups in accordance with their ages: 36 Young (15-45 years), 46 Adult (50-70 and 31 Elderly (>70 years). evaluate stability investigated parameters, a subgroup 10 subjects underwent second two weeks later. Graph theory functions applied to undirected weighted networks obtained by lagged linear coherence evaluated eLORETA cortical sources. frequency bands interest were: delta (2-4 Hz), theta (4-8 alpha1 (8-10.5 alpha2 (10.5-13 beta1 (13-20 beta2 (20-30 gamma (30-40 Hz). The spectral sources showed normalized Characteristic Path Length (λ) presented pattern > Adult>Elderly higher alpha band. also greater increase than Young. correlation between age λ ages corresponded lower band; this reflects age-related modulation (alpha) decreased (delta) Normalized Clustering coefficient (γ) small-world network modeling (σ) non-significant age-modulation. Evidence from present study suggests graph can aid patterns estimated facilitate physiological pathological features functional networks.