Linking structural and functional changes during healthy aging and semantic dementia using multilayer brain network analysis

Abstract

Healthy aging is characterized by frontal and diffuse brain changes, while certain age-related pathologies such as semantic dementia will be associated with more focal brain lesions, particularly in the temporo-parietal regions. These changes in structural integrity could influence functional brain networks. Here we use multilayer brain network analysis on structural (DWI) and functional (fMRI) data in younger and older healthy individuals and patients with semantic dementia. Relative to younger adults, results revealed lower levels of similarity of connectivity patterns between brain structure and function, and an increased network clustering in frontal regions in healthy older individuals. These changes were either associated with a preservation (similarity) and a decrease (clustering) in cognitive performance. Patients with semantic dementia showed an increase in the similarity of structural and functional connectivity patterns, as well as an increase in clustering in temporo-parietal regions. These changes were respectively associated with a preservation and a decrease in cognitive performance. These results provide a better characterization of distinct profiles of age- and pathology-brain network changes and their association with the preservation or the decline of cognitive functions.

Keywords: Brain connectivity; Cognition; Healthy aging; Multilayer network analysis; Semantic dementia.