Functional network analysis reveals differences in the semantic priming task

The recent years have seen the emergence of graph theoretical analysis of complex, functional brain networks estimated from neurophysiological measurements. The research has mainly focused on the graph characterization of the resting-state/default network, and its potential for clinical application. Functional resting-state networks usually display the characteristics of small-world networks and their statistical properties have been observed to change due to pathological conditions or aging. In the present paper we move forward in the application of graph theoretical tools in functional connectivity by investigating high-level cognitive processing in healthy adults, in a manner similar to that used in psychological research in the framework of event-related potentials (ERPs). More specifically we aim at investigating how graph theoretical approaches can help to discover systematic and task-dependent differences in high-level cognitive processes such as language perception. We will show that such an approach is feasible and that the results coincide well with the findings from neuroimaging studies. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.