One-Year Brain Atrophy Evident in Healthy Aging

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3252-09.2009
• Publication Date: 2009-12-02T18:42:03Z
• Authors: Anders M. Fjell; Kristine B. Walhovd; Christine Fennema...; Linda K. McEvoy; Donald J. Hagler; Dominic Holland; James B. Brewer; Anders M. Dale
• Keywords: Brain Aging; Aging brain

An accurate description of changes in the brain healthy aging is needed to understand basis age-related cognitive function. Cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies suggest thinning cerebral cortex, volumetric reductions most subcortical structures, and ventricular expansion. However, there a paucity detailed longitudinal support cross-sectional findings. In present study, 142 elderly participants (60–91 years age) were followed with repeated MRI, compared 122 patients mild moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Volume measured across entire cortex 48 regions interest. Cortical extensive after only 1 year, especially evident temporal prefrontal cortices, where annual decline was ∼0.5%. All except caudate nucleus fourth ventricle changed significantly over year. Some atrophy occurred areas vulnerable AD, while other observed less characteristic early stages. This suggests that are not primarily driven by degenerative processes associated although it likely preclinical AD superposed on due normal some subjects, lobes. Finally, found accelerate increasing age, this prominent AD. Thus, possible accelerating age