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Gender effects on age-related changes in brain structure.
J Xu1, S Kobayashi, S Yamaguchi
1Department of Internal Medicine III, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|February 11, 2000
Summary
Men experience more age-related brain atrophy than women, particularly in specific brain regions. This study clarifies gender differences in brain volume changes over time.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Gerontology
- Radiology
Background:
- Previous research indicates brain atrophy correlates with aging and shows gender disparities.
- Existing studies often fail to exclude subclinical brain lesions or analyze specific brain subregions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of gender on age-related brain atrophy across different brain subregions using Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging.
- To provide a detailed analysis of sex-based differences in brain volume changes associated with aging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a computer-assisted system to compute the brain matter area index (BMAI) from MR images.
- Analyzed data from 331 healthy subjects with no detectable brain lesions.
- Examined atrophy patterns in various brain regions, accounting for gender and age.
Main Results:
- Male subjects exhibited greater age-related atrophy in the posterior right frontal lobe compared to females.
- Significant age-related atrophy was observed in the right temporal lobe, left basal ganglia, parietal lobe, and cerebellum of male subjects, but not females.
- Leftward hemispheric asymmetry in brain volume was noted in the temporal lobe, thalamus, parieto-occipital lobe, and cerebellum, independent of sex and age.
Conclusions:
- Gender significantly influences the pattern and extent of age-related brain atrophy in distinct brain subregions.
- Male subjects demonstrate a more pronounced rate of brain atrophy with aging compared to female subjects.