近年來，功能性磁振造影技術發展迅速，使得大腦神經活動關聯性在腦神經科學中逐漸發展成熟。同時，網路理論的發展在近代也引起關注，在生物物理中，小世界網路(Small-World Network)被廣泛運用在大腦神經網路，其群聚性高、特徵路徑短之性質與大腦各個腦區間反應及高效率傳遞資訊的特性相似。有鑑於此，本論文藉由小世界網路的特性探討大腦的老化現象。
本研究以靜息態功能性磁振造影(Resting-state fMRI)量測年輕人及老年人大腦資料，並以右側腦島(Ins.R)作為核心，建構以腦島為核心的正及負相關網路。隨後，我們觀察在小世界特性明顯下的全域網路參數(Global Network Parameters)及區域網路參數(Regional Network Parameters)之老化現象。最後，我們利用多重攻擊策略模擬網路多點受損之情況，以了解網路之脆弱性。
我們研究結果指出，以腦島建立之負相關網路的常規化特徵路徑(Normalized Characteristic Path Length)會隨年紀而減短。並在區域網路參數所選出之重要網路樞紐中發現以腦島所建構之相關網路與認知功能(Cognitive Function)及中樞自主神經系統(Central Autonomic System)具有相關，且正相關網路中左側前扣帶和旁扣帶腦回(ACIN.L)及左側緣上回(SMG.L)隨著老化有顯著差異。期望可幫助醫學上了解中樞自主系統與認知功能在老化下之狀況。

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