Patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia show partially preserved parietal ‘hubs’ modeled from resting-state alpha electroencephalographic rhythms

Introduction: Graph theory models a network by its nodes (the fundamental unit by which graphs are formed) and connections. ‘Degree’ hubs reflect node centrality (the connection rate), while ‘connector’ hubs are those linked to several clusters of nodes (mainly long-range connections).

Methods: Here, we compared hubs modeled from measures of interdependencies of between-electrode resting-state eyes-closed electroencephalography (rsEEG) rhythms in normal elderly (Nold) and Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD) participants. At least 5 min of rsEEG was recorded and analyzed. As ADD is considered a ‘network disease’ and is typically associated with abnormal rsEEG delta (<4 Hz) and alpha rhythms (8–12 Hz) over associative posterior areas, we tested the hypothesis of abnormal posterior hubs from measures of interdependencies of rsEEG rhythms from delta to gamma bands (2–40 Hz) using eLORETA bivariate and multivariate-directional techniques in ADD participants versus Nold participants. Three different definitions of ‘connector’ hub were used.

Results: Convergent results showed that in both the Nold and ADD groups there were significant parietal ‘degree’ and ‘connector’ hubs derived from alpha rhythms. These hubs had a prominent outward ‘directionality’ in the two groups, but that ‘directionality’ was lower in ADD participants than in Nold participants.

Discussion: In conclusion, independent methodologies and hub definitions suggest that ADD patients may be characterized by low outward ‘directionality’ of partially preserved parietal ‘degree’ and ‘connector’ hubs derived from rsEEG alpha rhythms.