We analyzed the network properties of the middle-aged and elderly groups during a resting state and while performing a WM task. Figure 2 presents a comparison of graph theory features of middle-aged vs. elderly individuals. Global efficacy, local efficiency, clustering coefficient, and node strength were found to be significantly lower in elderly subjects in the eyes-open state. In the eyes-closed state, all investigated parameters are shown in Figure 3, including global efficiency, local efficiency, characteristic path length, clustering coefficient, and node strength. Significant changes in global efficiency, local efficiency, clustering coefficient, and node strength were found to be lower in elderly subjects, but not characteristic path length. In a WM state, six network features showed significant changes, including global efficiency, local efficiency, characteristic path length clustering coefficient, assortativity, and node strength, as presented in Figure 4. Compared to the middle-aged group, the elderly group showed decreased network properties in all six significant features. Local efficiency, global efficiency, and clustering coefficient were significant in eyes-open, eyes-closed, and WM tasks.
