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Age-related changes in cerebral MR angiography
1Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Japan.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|February 12, 1997
Summary
Cerebral artery visualization on MRA declines with age, particularly in the anterior cerebral arteries. Females showed better visualization than males in their fifth decade, suggesting age and sex influence MRA findings.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebral artery visualization on Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) can be affected by various factors.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for accurate interpretation of MRA scans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between cerebral artery visualization on MRA and aging, sex, laterality, and lacunar infarctions.
- To assess how these factors influence the diagnostic quality of MRA.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 244 neurologically normal subjects (aged 7-82 years).
- Utilized a 3D time-of-flight pulse sequence for MRA acquisition.
- Graded visualization of 6 major cerebral arteries (ACAs, MCAs, PCAs) on a scale of 8.
Main Results:
- Significant age-related decline in visualization for ACA, MCA, and PCA (p < 0.001).
- Cerebral arteries were better visualized in females than males during the fifth decade (p < 0.01).
- No significant correlation found with laterality or lacunar infarctions.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral MRA visualization demonstrates an age-dependent decrease.
- A sex-specific difference in visualization is noted in the fifth decade.
- These findings may relate to age- and sex-related changes in cerebral blood flow velocity.