In vivo Age-related Changes in Cortical, Subcortical Nuclei, and Subventricular Zone: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Aging Research
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Adult stem cell decline in the Subventricular Zone (SVZ) is linked to aging and neurodegeneration.
• Understanding age-related brain changes is crucial for addressing neurodegenerative diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate in vivo age-related neuroimaging changes in cortical, subcortical, and SVZ regions.
• To evaluate volumetric and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) alterations across different age groups.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 64 healthy volunteers across pediatric, middle-aged, and elderly groups.
• Acquired MRI and DTI data using a 3T scanner.
• Analyzed cortical, subcortical gray matter (GM) volumes and DTI parameters (FA, MD, RD, AD) using region of interest (ROI) analysis.

Main Results:

• Cortical volumes were smallest in the elderly and largest in the pediatric group.
• Significant differences in DTI parameters (FA, MD, RD, AD) were observed in subcortical nuclei (hippocampus, pallidum, amygdala, caudate, thalamus, accumbens) across age groups.
• Altered MD, RD, and AD values were also found in the SVZ region near the caudate.

Conclusions:

• Normal aging is associated with distinct patterns of volumetric and DTI changes in the brain.
• Subcortical and SVZ alterations in DTI parameters may reflect changes in neurogenic regions during aging.
• Longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings and understand the implications for neurogenesis.