Changes in white-matter functional network efficiency across the adult lifespan

Neuroreport. 2019 May 22;30(8):600-604. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000001255.

Abstract

Previous studies have used resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and graph-theory approaches to investigate the lifespan trajectory of the topological organization of the gray-matter functional networks. Recent evidences have suggested that rs-fMRI data can also be used to estimate white-matter function, challenging the conventional practice of taking white-matter signals as noise or artifacts. Here, we examined the correlation between age and white-matter functional network efficiency by applying graph-theory to a large sample of rs-fMRI data of 435 participants. We found that age was correlated negatively with both global and local efficiency of the white-matter functional networks. These findings suggest decreasing white-matter functional network efficiency during the aging process, which provides a complement to conventional gray-matter functional network studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longevity*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • White Matter / physiology*
  • Young Adult