Associations between age, sex, APOE genotype, and regional vascular physiology in typically aging adults

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120167
• Publication Date: 2023-05-15T14:33:00Z
• Authors: Nikou L. Damestani; John Jacoby; Shrikanth M. Yadav; Allison E. Lovely; Aurea Michael; Melissa Terpstra; Marziye Eshghi; Barnaly Rashid; Carlos Cruchaga; David H. Salat; Meher R. Juttukonda
• Keywords: Apolipoprotein E; Brain Aging; Aging brain

Altered blood flow in the human brain is characteristic of typical aging. However, numerous factors contribute to inter-individual variation patterns throughout lifespan. To better understand mechanisms behind such variation, we studied how sex and APOE genotype, a primary genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), influence associations between age perfusion measures. We conducted cross-sectional study 562 participants from Human Connectome Project - Aging (36 >90 years age). found widespread vascular parameters, where increasing was associated with regional decreases cerebral (CBF) increases arterial transit time (ATT). When grouped by interactions group demonstrated that females had relatively greater CBF lower ATT compared males. Females carrying APOEε4 allele showed strongest association decline incline age. This demonstrates AD modulate age-associated