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Updated: Jan 7, 2026
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Dried Blood Spot Collection of Health Biomarkers to Maximize Participation in Population Studies
Published on: January 28, 2014
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Biomarkers
Fatemeh Tabassi Mofrad1, John Gallacher2
1University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|December 25, 2025
Summary
Brain aging involves both grey matter shrinkage and volume increases in specific subcortical areas like the Caudate and Pallidum, suggesting inflammation may play a role in cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
Background:
- Age-related cognitive decline impacts independence and lifespan.
- Subcortical brain structures are implicated in cognitive deterioration.
- Comprehensive documentation of age-related structural brain changes is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map age-related volumetric changes in subcortical grey matter.
- To investigate the relationship between age and subcortical brain volumes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized T1-weighted structural brain scans from 46,111 healthy individuals.
- Divided participants into middle-aged (44-60) and older (61-83) groups.
- Employed path analysis to examine age-related subcortical volume changes, with model fit adjustments.
Main Results:
- Age positively correlated with increased volumes in the right/left Caudate, Pallidum, and left Putamen.
- Age negatively correlated with decreased volumes in the Brain Stem, left Thalamus, right/left Amygdala, and Hippocampus.
- Observed differential volumetric changes across subcortical regions in older adults.
Conclusions:
- Age-related structural brain changes include both grey matter shrinkage and volume increases in subcortical areas.
- Increased volumes in Caudate, Pallidum, and Putamen suggest age-related brain inflammation.
- These inflammatory changes may precede neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis.
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