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Age-dependent differences in brain tissue microstructure assessed with neurite orientation dispersion and density
Andrew P Merluzzi1, Douglas C Dean2, Nagesh Adluru2
1Department of Medicine, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; Neuroscience and Public Policy Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
Neurobiology of Aging
|June 4, 2016
Summary
Brain imaging reveals age-related microstructural changes in white matter, impacting memory and executive function in cognitively healthy older adults. This research aids in understanding normal brain aging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Radiology
Background:
- Human aging involves cognitive decline, particularly in executive function and memory.
- The underlying biological mechanisms of age-related cognitive changes remain unclear.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for distinguishing healthy aging from dementia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between aging, brain microstructure, and cognitive performance.
- To utilize advanced neuroimaging techniques to assess cellular changes in the aging brain.
- To correlate microstructural brain alterations with neuropsychological test results in asymptomatic individuals.
Main Methods:
- Employed neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) on 116 cognitively asymptomatic, late middle-aged participants.
- Analyzed diffusion imaging data to quantify white matter microstructure.
- Assessed cognitive function using standardized tests of memory and executive function.
Main Results:
- Identified age-related increases in isotropic diffusion and decreases in neurite density in frontal white matter.
- Observed associations between these microstructural changes and poorer performance on memory and executive function tests.
- Demonstrated NODDI's capability to detect age-related brain alterations relevant to cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging effectively measures age-related brain changes.
- Microstructural white matter alterations correlate with cognitive decline in aging.
- Findings contribute to understanding normal brain aging and differentiating it from pathological processes like dementia.
