Aging influence on functional connectivity of the motor network in the resting state
Tao Wu1, Yufeng Zang, Liang Wang
1Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
We used functional MRI (fMRI) to study the aging influence on functional connectivity of the motor network in the resting state. A network model based on graph theory was used to measure functional connectivity. The total connectivity degree of each region within the motor network was calculated and compared between aged and young groups. We found that the pattern of functional connectivity was changed in aged subjects, including a significant decrease in the functional connectivity degree of the right cingulate motor area and left premotor area compared to young subjects. Our study demonstrates that normal aging modulates the functional connectivity of motor network in the resting state. We postulate that this abnormal functional connectivity of motor network in the baseline state is an important reason contributing to the deteriorated motor ability in aged subjects.
