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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
High-resolution In Vivo Manual Segmentation Protocol for Human Hippocampal Subfields Using 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: November 10, 2015
Hypothalamic MRI-derived microstructure is associated with neurocognitive aging in humans
Sandra Aleksic1, Roman Fleysher2, Erica F Weiss3
1Department of Medicine, Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States.
Abstract:
The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis across the lifespan and is emerging as a regulator of aging. In murine models, aging-related changes in the hypothalamus, including microinflammation and gliosis, promote accelerated neurocognitive decline. We investigated relationships between hypothalamic microstructure and features of neurocognitive aging, including cortical thickness and cognition, in a cohort of community-dwelling older adults (age range 65-97 years, n=124). Hypothalamic microstructure was evaluated with two magnetic resonance imaging diffusion metrics: mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA), using a novel image processing pipeline. Hypothalamic MD was cross-sectionally positively associated with age and it was negatively associated with cortical thickness. Hypothalamic FA, independent of cortical thickness, was cross-sectionally positively associated with neurocognitive scores. An exploratory analysis of longitudinal neurocognitive performance suggested that lower hypothalamic FA may predict cognitive decline. No associations between hypothalamic MD, age, and cortical thickness were identified in a younger control cohort (age range 18-63 years, n=99). To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that hypothalamic microstructure is associated with features of neurocognitive aging in humans.
Insights
The hypothalamus, crucial for aging, shows microstructural changes linked to cognitive decline in older adults. Lower hypothalamic fractional anisotropy (FA) may predict worsening neurocognition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis and aging.
- Aging-related hypothalamic changes, like microinflammation, are linked to neurocognitive decline in mice.
- Human studies on hypothalamic microstructure and aging are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hypothalamic microstructure and neurocognitive aging in older adults.
- To explore if hypothalamic microstructure predicts cognitive decline over time.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diffusion metrics (mean diffusivity [MD] and fractional anisotropy [FA]) were used to assess hypothalamic microstructure.
- A cohort of 124 community-dwelling older adults (65-97 years) and 99 younger controls (18-63 years) were studied.
- Associations with cortical thickness and cognitive scores were analyzed.
Main Results:
- In older adults, higher hypothalamic MD correlated with age and lower cortical thickness.
- Hypothalamic FA positively correlated with neurocognitive scores, independent of cortical thickness.
- Lower hypothalamic FA suggested potential prediction of cognitive decline in longitudinal analysis.
Conclusions:
- Hypothalamic microstructure is associated with neurocognitive aging features in humans.
- This study provides novel insights into the hypothalamus's role in human cognitive aging.
- Hypothalamic FA may serve as a biomarker for cognitive aging and decline.
