White matter changes in cerebral computed tomography related to aging

Changes on computed cranial tomography related to aging were studied in 123 normal subjects aged 23 to 88 years. The attenuation value of the white matter in the centrum semiovale decreased with age. When the effect of age was excluded, ventricular and sulcal size did not have an independent effect on the attenuation value. This finding suggests that there may be gradual changes in the chemical composition of white matter with aging.