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Age and sex effects on brain morphology
T J Passe1, P Rajagopalan, L A Tupler
1Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|February 14, 1998
Summary
This study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine brain morphology, finding that aging reduces gray matter volume. Sex differences in brain size are mainly due to white matter variations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Human Anatomy
- Gerontology
Background:
- In vivo brain morphology assessment is feasible using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Understanding age and sex influences on brain structure is crucial for neurological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of age and sex on whole-brain morphology.
- To identify specific patterns of structural brain changes related to aging and sex.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an operator-controlled computer-segmentation protocol for brain analysis.
- Employed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for in vivo morphological assessment.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between advancing age and reduced gray-matter volume.
- Observed sex-based differences in overall brain size were primarily attributed to variations in white-matter volume.
Conclusions:
- Age is a critical factor associated with gray-matter reduction.
- White-matter volume significantly contributes to sex-based brain size disparities.
- Controlling for age and sex is essential in brain morphology studies for accurate interpretation.