| Network science has become a powerful tool with which we can model the human brain as a complex network. Since the start of application of network science to the brain, many advances have been made. Due to this development of new metrics and network formation algorithms, the current study aimed to re-examine brain networks of a subset from the Seniors Health and Activity Research Program Pilot (Burdette et al., 2010). In addition, the present study sought to relate network metrics to participants' performance on cognitive and memory tasks. With past research implicating the anterior cingulate cortex and the hippocampus in changes associated with training programs in older adults, these were used as focal regions of interest. Of the original 73 participants, a subset of 29 participants were scanned using fMRI and had these images transformed into complex networks based on time-series correlations. Metric comparisons showed non-significant trends towards high-degree orientation in the training groups and especially those involving physical activity. Regression of performance outcomes revealed a consistent negative association between the local efficiency of the anterior cingulate cortex and of the network and task outcomes. Implications for underlying group differences and consideration of network metrics for the brain are discussed. |
