Factors associated with morphometric brain changes in cognitively normal aging.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Gerontology
• Pathology

Background:

• Cognitive impairment correlates with reduced brain weight and volume.
• Factors influencing brain morphometry in cognitively normal aging are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify clinical factors associated with morphometric brain changes in cognitively normal aging individuals.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 414 adults (≥50 years) with clinical assessment and brain autopsy.
• Cognitive and functional data collected via interviews; brain weight and volume measured and adjusted for head circumference.
• Univariate and multivariate analyses used to determine associations.

Main Results:

• Head circumference independently associated with lower brain weight and volume (p<0.001).
• Lower adjusted brain weight linked to female gender, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and walking assistance.
• Higher adjusted brain weight associated with more schooling.
• Lower adjusted brain volume associated with female gender, older age, and hypertension.

Conclusions:

• Morphometric brain changes occur in cognitively normal aging.
• Age, female gender, mobility impairment, and cardiovascular conditions are associated with these changes.
• Education may act as a protective factor against brain volume reduction.