Changes in voxel-wise gray matter asymmetry over time.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human Brain Imaging
• Aging Research

Background:

• Hemispheric brain asymmetries are present from early life and evolve throughout the lifespan.
• Existing research lacks consensus on the direction and magnitude of age-related changes in brain asymmetry and affected regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related changes in voxel-wise gray matter asymmetry in adults.
• To determine if changes in brain asymmetry differ based on chronological age or biological sex.

Main Methods:

• Utilized UK Biobank data from 2,322 participants (aged 47-80 years) with two MRI scans.
• Analyzed voxel-wise gray matter asymmetry changes over a mean follow-up period of 2.4 years.

Main Results:

• Significant changes in brain asymmetry were observed, predominantly in the temporal lobe, occipital lobe, and cerebellum.
• Overall, decreases in asymmetry were more common than increases, with distinct hemisphere-specific patterns.
• No significant association was found between asymmetry changes and chronological age or biological sex.

Conclusions:

• Gray matter asymmetry undergoes significant changes in mid-to-late adulthood, with regional specificity.
• These age-related asymmetry changes do not appear to accelerate or decelerate with age and show no sex differences.
• Further research is needed to explore these changes across different life stages and in clinical populations.