Changes of cortical functional complexity across the lifespan in men and women

Motivation: To investigate lifespan trajectories of integrity of regional brain function by means of fMRI-complexity. Goal(s): The goal of this study is to analyze changes of fMRI-complexity over the lifespan among men and women using Multiscale Sample Entropy. Approach: Complexity trajectories of 504 subjects age ranging from 6 - 85 years were analyzed using polynomial model fitting and Bayesian Information Criterion. Results: Majority of cortical brain regions showed a complexity peak between age 22 and 24yrs. There is a complexity maturation delay in men compared to women however after reaching the peak complexity, the women exhibited a slightly faster decline in complexity than men. Impact: The findings of this study help to understand the lifespan trajectories of the complexity of regional brain function among men and women.