Brain structure and working memory adaptations associated with maturation and aging in mice.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Comparative Biology
• Aging Research

Background:

• Human brain aging research is crucial due to population demographics.
• Rodent models are increasingly used for studying human brain aging.
• Structural changes in the aging rodent brain remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related changes in brain morphology and structural covariance networks in mice.
• To correlate brain volume with cognitive performance in different age groups.
• To establish a foundational understanding for translating rodent brain aging models to humans.

Main Methods:

• Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess regional brain volume in young, middle-age, and old mice.
• General linear models and logistic regression were employed to analyze volume differences and cognitive associations.
• Structural covariance networks were analyzed for changes in centrality, integration, and segregation.

Main Results:

• Significant maturational volume changes were observed in 18 brain regions, with notable losses in isocortex and gains in brainstem and white matter.
• Aging-related comparisons showed further isocortex volume loss and white matter increases.
• Smaller anterior cingulate and larger hippocampal volumes correlated with poorer cognitive performance; network analysis revealed maturational changes but stabilization with aging.

Conclusions:

• This study provides a comprehensive account of age-related brain volume and network alterations in mice.
• Findings highlight specific brain regions associated with cognitive function across the lifespan.
• The results serve as a crucial reference for advancing translational research between rodent models and human brain aging.