Aging in the CNS: comparison of gray/white matter volume and diffusion tensor data

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Aging is associated with structural and microstructural changes in the brain.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for identifying neurodegenerative diseases and monitoring brain health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the global and regional effects of aging on brain volume, mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA) in normal female subjects.
• To determine if diffusion properties and brain volume are complementary aging markers.

Main Methods:

• Voxel-based analysis was performed on MRI data from 73 normal female subjects.
• Correlations between age and brain volume, MD, and FA were assessed globally and regionally.

Main Results:

• Globally, aging negatively correlated with gray matter volume and FA, and positively with MD.
• Regionally, negative correlations for volume and FA were prominent in anterior structures, while MD increased in cortical gray matter and white matter.
• Specific regions showed distinct patterns, including volume preservation in the cingulate gyrus and FA increase in the putamen.

Conclusions:

• Diffusion properties (MD and FA) and brain volume are complementary markers for assessing the effects of aging.
• These findings contribute to a better understanding of age-related brain changes and may aid in future diagnostic approaches.