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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
07:30
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
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The aging brain and cerebrovascular reactivity.
Larissa McKetton1, Olivia Sobczyk1, James Duffin2
1Division of Neuroradiology, Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Neuroimage
|July 8, 2018
Summary
Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) decreases with age, particularly in frontal white matter regions. This study reveals age-related changes in brain blood flow regulation, impacting areas susceptible to vascular dementia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Vascular Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) assesses brain vasculature health using responses to stimuli.
- BOLD fMRI and CO2 challenges are key methods for CVR evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in CVR metrics using BOLD fMRI.
- To identify specific brain regions affected by declining cerebrovascular regulation with age.
Main Methods:
- 51 healthy adults (18-85 years) underwent BOLD fMRI with CO2 gas challenges (step and ramp).
- Analysis included ramp/step CVR, response speed, and transfer function analysis (TFA).
- Data were analyzed across four age cohorts to identify age-related differences.
Main Results:
- Ramp CVR significantly decreased with age in frontal white matter (ACA-MCA watershed).
- TFA revealed reduced gain in the oldest cohort within the ACA-MCA watershed, cingulate cortex, and superior frontal gyrus.
- No significant differences in resting end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) were observed between age groups.
Conclusions:
- Healthy aging is associated with reduced cerebrovascular reactivity, especially in critical frontal white matter areas.
- Findings highlight potential biomarkers for early detection of impaired blood flow regulation in aging brains.
- This research aids in understanding risks for vascular dementia and related cognitive decline.
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