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Radiologic changes of the aging brain and skull
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|August 1, 1984
Summary
Brain aging involves normal, gradual changes like ventricle widening, noticeable after the fourth decade. These involutionary changes show significant individual variation, becoming less predictable with longer lifespans.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Age-related brain changes are typically studied postmortem.
- Computed tomographic (CT) imaging offers a method for in-vivo assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate in-vivo computed tomographic (CT) findings with known postmortem observations of brain involution.
Main Methods:
- Utilized computed tomographic (CT) scans to observe brain structures in living individuals.
- Documented changes in ventricular size, fissures, sulci, and cisterns over time.
Main Results:
- Observed gradual widening of the third ventricle, sylvian and interhemispheric fissures, superficial sulci, and basal cisterns starting around the fourth decade.
- Noted significant enlargement of lateral ventricles, particularly after the sixth decade.
- Confirmed that brain regression with aging is a normal physiological process.
Conclusions:
- Computed tomographic (CT) studies during life can effectively reveal age-related involutionary brain changes.
- Significant individual variability exists in the extent of these age-related brain changes.
- The predictability of involutionary changes decreases with increasing lifespan.