Graph Theory Analysis of Functional Brain Networks and Mobility Disability in Older Adults

摘要: Much research on the effects of aging mobility has focused muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. However, considerable variability in function remains after accounting for these factors. Recently, it been proposed that changes brain nervous system might account some this (1). Behavior neuroimaging evidence points to a role cortex mobility. Epidemiological studies show gait speed correlates with cognitive low or abnormalities may precede decline (2,3). Furthermore, increased demand, particularly domain executive function, slows (4), suggesting shared resources supporting cognition mobility. Structural suggest prefrontal cortex, which is associated important mobility, along frontoparietal sensorimotor regions, basal ganglia, cerebellum (5–9). Lower regional volumes, including frontoparietal, frontal, are poorer speed, characteristics, balance Mobility involves coordination regions across brain, damage connections between contribute declining function. White matter lesions arising from disease impairment, especially when they severe located frontal lobe (for review see Zheng colleagues (10)). Importantly, associations observed absence frank disease, indicating relevant even healthy-appearing older adults occur early decline. The strong links white health connectivity analysis structural cannot directly assess how functional differ impairment. Functional network analyses have potential identify alterations prior development irreparable tissue damage. Graph theory imaging data exploits complexity characterize overall architecture network. Rather than ascertaining whether individual disability, graph treats as one integrated asks communication patterns within altered impaired. Here, we analyze magnetic resonance using (11) differences participants high, mid, determined by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score (12).