A Correlational Study between Microstructural White Matter Properties and Macrostructural Gray Matter Volume Across...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuroscience
• Human Aging Research

Background:

• Brain aging involves changes in both gray matter volume and white matter integrity.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for identifying markers of healthy aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between gray matter volume and white matter integrity indices during healthy aging.
• To explore potential gender differences in these relationships across the lifespan.

Main Methods:

• Utilized MRI scans from 177 healthy adults aged 20-85 years.
• Employed Voxel-Based Morphometry for gray matter volume estimation.
• Applied FDT-FSL analysis for white matter diffusion indices (Axial Diffusivity, Radial Diffusivity, Mean Diffusivity, Fractional Anisotropy).

Main Results:

• Observed a strong correlation between gray matter volume and white matter's Axial Diffusivity and Mean Diffusivity across the lifespan.
• Found significantly reduced Fractional Anisotropy and Mean Diffusivity in females compared to males across all ages.
• No significant gender differences were found for Axial Diffusivity and Radial Diffusivity.

Conclusions:

• Gray matter volume is strongly correlated with white matter's Axial Diffusivity and Mean Diffusivity in both genders throughout aging.
• White matter micro-structural parameters influence gray matter macro-structural characteristics during healthy aging.
• Findings clarify multi-scale brain tissue relationships across the lifespan.