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Measuring Brain Stiffness in Normal Adults According to Age and Sex Using Virtual MR Elastography: A Preliminary
Jung Hyun Park1, Miran Han2,3, Miseon Yeon2
1Department of Radiology, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Purpose:
Assessing brain stiffness alterations associated with normal aging, sex-related differences, and regional variations is important from clinical perspective. The study aimed to investigate the changes in brain stiffness according to age and sex using virtual magnetic resonance elastography (vMRE), a noninvasive and novel technique based on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 96 adults (31-80 years, 51 men and 45 women) who underwent MRI as part of routine medical examinations. The shifted apparent diffusion coefficient was calculated from DWI (b = 200 and 1500 sec/mm2) and converted to the DWI-based virtual shear modulus (μdiff). Brain stiffness was measured in 12 brain regions: the cerebrum, cerebral gray/white matter, basal ganglia, thalamus, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, cerebellum, hippocampus, and amygdala. Linear regression and multiple-comparison tests were performed to evaluate the effects of age and regional differences.
Results:
Brain stiffness exhibited regional differences, with higher shear modulus values observed in deep structures (thalamus and basal ganglia) compared to that in lobar regions (P < 0.01). Among lobar areas, the occipital lobe had the highest stiffness, whereas the temporal lobe had the lowest (P < 0.01). Linear regression revealed a significant negative correlation between age and brain stiffness (-0.06%/year, R2 = 0.09, P = 0.04). The most pronounced decline in elasticity (-0.28%/year, R2 = 0.66, P < 0.01) was observed in cerebral gray matter. Hippocampal stiffness significantly decreased after the fifth decade of life. Sex-related differences were found only in the parietal lobe (P = 0.02) and basal ganglia (P = 0.03).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that vMRE can effectively measure the elastic properties of the brain. Brain stiffness decreases with age, but these changes vary across different regions.
