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Age-associated changes in rhesus CNS composition identified by MRI.
A H Andersen1, Z Zhang, M Zhang
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
Brain Research
|June 3, 1999
Summary
Rhesus monkey brain aging shows volume loss, primarily gray matter, with increased cerebrospinal fluid. This aging process in monkeys mirrors human brain aging but occurs three times faster, offering a valuable research model.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Comparative Anatomy
- Aging Research
Background:
- Brain aging is a complex process with significant implications for cognitive function.
- Understanding age-associated changes in brain structure and composition is crucial for developing interventions.
- Non-human primate models offer valuable insights into human brain aging due to shared biological pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-associated changes in brain volume and composition in female rhesus monkeys.
- To compare the rate and pattern of brain aging in rhesus monkeys to that of humans.
- To evaluate the rhesus monkey as a model for human brain aging.
Main Methods:
- Multispectral automated segmentation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
- Analysis of brain parenchymal volume, gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fractions.
- Longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of brain volume changes across different age groups.
Main Results:
- Total brain parenchymal volume decreased linearly at 0.3% ICV/year.
- Gray matter loss was the primary driver of volume reduction up to approximately 15 years, with compensatory CSF increase.
- The gray matter/white matter volume ratio declined, indicating greater gray matter loss, with a slowing rate after 15 years.
Conclusions:
- Rhesus monkeys exhibit significant age-associated changes in brain volume and composition.
- The observed brain aging patterns in rhesus monkeys closely resemble those in humans.
- Rhesus monkeys serve as a relevant and accelerated model for studying human brain aging, occurring approximately three times faster.