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[Age-related cerebral white matter changes on computed tomography]
Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Geriatrics
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Brain CT numbers in frontal white matter decrease with aging, especially after 65. This age-related change in brain imaging is linked to cerebral atrophy but not hypertension or diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Aging is associated with structural brain changes.
- Computed cranial tomography (CT) can assess brain tissue characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in cerebral white matter using CT.
- To explore correlations between brain CT numbers and factors like age, cranial size, bone density, brain atrophy, hypertension, and diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Studied 70 neurologically healthy subjects aged 30-94 years.
- Measured average CT numbers in deep white matter and thalamus.
- Utilized multiple regression analysis to assess influencing factors.
Main Results:
- CT numbers in frontal white matter significantly decreased with aging.
- This decrease was more pronounced in subjects aged 66-94 years.
- Brain CT numbers correlated negatively with brain atrophy but not with hypertension or diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral white matter CT numbers decrease with aging, particularly in older adults, even in healthy individuals.
- Brain atrophy is associated with reduced white matter CT numbers.
- Age-related white matter changes detected by CT are influenced by factors beyond cranial bone density.