Network analysis of brain functional connectivity in elderly during Beijing Opera experience

For insight into the laws of brain functional networks in the elder with different MMSE scores, 20 elders participated in our Opera experience task. We recorded their EEG at no-task and eyes-closed conditions. The elderly subjects were divided into high score group (HSG) and low score group (LSG) according to the MMSE score. The partially oriented coherent (PDC) values were computed separately in the delta, theta, alpha1, alpha2, beta, gamma1 and gamma2 bands and were used to construct brain functional networks. Then the connection properties of constructed networks were tested by calculating the cluster coefficients C and characteristic path length L. Results showed that, there were no statistical differences of the global values for two groups in each band; increased PDC values were found after the opera experience for the low score group in delta band; the L value of theta band was significantly longer in the high score group, whereas the C value showed no significant changes. The finding indicates the abnormal of brain functional networks in low score group, and the Opera has enhancement features to people's brain functional connectivity.