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Application of Granger Causality Analysis of the Directed Functional Connection in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: August 7, 2017
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Directed Network Defects in Alzheimer's Disease Using Granger Causality and Graph Theory
1School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410008 Hunan, China.
Current Alzheimer Research
|December 17, 2020
Summary
This study reveals altered brain network connectivity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with AD exhibit less efficient information transmission and reduced resilience in their brain networks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Network Science
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) impacts whole-brain connectivity.
- Limited research exists on directed interactions between brain regions in AD.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate whole-brain effective connectivity in AD.
- Analyze graph metrics associated with AD neuropathology.
Main Methods:
- Employed large-scale Granger causality analysis for effective connectivity.
- Computed graph-theoretical metrics (small-worldness, assortativity, hierarchy).
- Compared network properties between AD patients and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- AD subjects showed decreased small-worldness.
- Increased characteristic path length was observed in AD.
- Disassortativity and hierarchy were elevated in AD patients.
Conclusions:
- AD brain networks demonstrate less efficient information transmission.
- AD is associated with reduced network resilience to attacks.
- Findings offer insight into AD neuropathological mechanisms.
