BRAPH: A graph theory software for the analysis of brain connectivity
Date
2017Source Title
PLoS ONE
Electronic ISSN
1932-6203
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Volume
12
Issue
8
Pages
1 - 23
Language
English
Type
ArticleItem Usage Stats
262
views
views
196
downloads
downloads
Abstract
The brain is a large-scale complex network whose workings rely on the interaction between its various regions. In the past few years, the organization of the human brain network has been studied extensively using concepts from graph theory, where the brain is represented as a set of nodes connected by edges. This representation of the brain as a connectome can be used to assess important measures that reflect its topological architecture. We have developed a freeware MatLab-based software (BRAPH–BRain Analysis using graPH theory) for connectivity analysis of brain networks derived from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data. BRAPH allows building connectivity matrices, calculating global and local network measures, performing non-parametric permutations for group comparisons, assessing the modules in the network, and comparing the results to random networks. By contrast to other toolboxes, it allows performing longitudinal comparisons of the same patients across different points in time. Furthermore, even though a user-friendly interface is provided, the architecture of the program is modular (object-oriented) so that it can be easily expanded and customized. To demonstrate the abilities of BRAPH, we performed structural and functional graph theory analyses in two separate studies. In the first study, using MRI data, we assessed the differences in global and nodal network topology in healthy controls, patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In the second study, using resting-state fMRI data, we compared healthy controls and Parkinson’s patients with mild cognitive impairment. © 2017 Mijalkov et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Keywords
AdultAged
Alzheimer disease
Article
Brain region
Computer interface
Connectome
Controlled study
Data analysis software
Electroencephalogram
Female
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
Graph theory
Human
Information processing
Major clinical study
Male
Mild cognitive impairment
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
Parkinson disease
Positron emission tomography
Software design
Algorithm
Amnesia
Brain
Case control study
Cluster analysis
Cognitive defect
Cohort analysis
Connectome
Diagnostic imaging
Electroencephalography
Image processing
Nerve cell network
Nerve tract
Pathophysiology
Physiology
Procedures
Software
Very elderly
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Algorithms
Alzheimer disease
Amnesia
Brain
Case-control studies
Cluster analysis
Cognitive dysfunction
Cohort studies
Connectome
Electroencephalography
Female
Humans
Image processing, computer-assisted
Magnetic resonance imaging
Male
Nerve net
Neural pathways
Parkinson disease
Positron-emission tomography
Software
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/11693/37018Published Version (Please cite this version)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178798Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Archample-architectural analysis approach for multiple product line engineering
Tekinerdogan, B.; Erdoğan, Ö. Ö.; Aktuğ, O. (Elsevier Inc., 2014)The increased size and complexity of software systems has led to the notion of multiple software product lines (MPLs) in which products are composed from subproducts in separate software product lines. Thus, it is important ... -
Identification of individuals' emotional response to the indoor soundscape in public study areas via semantic differentiation
Acun, Volkan; Yilmazer, Semiha (Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 2017)Aims of this research is to identify individuals' emotional response to the sound environment of public study areas. The research has taken place in the public study areas of Bilkent University Campus. These study areas ... -
A study to observe relations between software engineers' responses to incomplete requirements and requirements volatility
Albayrak Ö.; Bicakci, M.; Bozkurt H. (2009)For high quality software, software requirements must be complete. In practice, not all software requirements are complete. In case of incomplete software requirements, software engineers fill in the requirements' gaps by ...