Changes in dynamic functional connections with aging
Lixia Tian1, Qizhuo Li1, Chaomurilige Wang1
1School of Computer and Information Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China.
Neuroimage
|February 8, 2018
Summary
Aging adults show altered brain connectivity, spending more time in states of weak brain-wide interactions and less time in states of strong sensory-motor and cognitive control network activity. This suggests reduced information transfer efficiency in older individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Static functional connectivity (FC) changes with age are well-documented.
- However, dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) changes in aging remain underexplored.
- Understanding these dynamic shifts is crucial for a comprehensive view of brain aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related alterations in dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) using resting-state fMRI.
- To analyze changes in brain states, dwell times, and FC fluctuation metrics with increasing age.
- To explore the implications of these dFC changes for information transfer efficiency in aging.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state fMRI data from 61 healthy adults (30-85 years) were analyzed.
- Time-resolved functional connections (FCs) were computed using sliding-window correlation.
- K-means clustering identified distinct FC states; age correlations were performed on dwell times and FC fluctuation metrics (variability and amplitude).
Main Results:
- Older adults spent more time in low-interaction brain states and less time in high-interaction sensory-motor and cognitive control network states.
- Significant negative correlations were found between age and the amplitude of FC fluctuations globally and regionally.
- Variability of FC time-series showed weaker correlations with age.
Conclusions:
- Aging is associated with a shift towards weaker overall brain interactions and reduced dynamic range of functional connectivity.
- Declines in the amplitude of FC fluctuations may explain widespread static FC decreases observed in aging.
- Dynamic FC analysis offers valuable insights into age-related neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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