Age-Related Decline in BBB Function is More Pronounced in Males than Females

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.96155.1
• Publication Date: 2024-04-15T13:25:19Z
• Authors: Xingfeng Shao; Qinyang Shou; Kimberly Felix; Brandon Ojogho; Xuejuan Jiang; Brian T. Gold; Megan M Herting; Eric L Goldwaser; Peter Kochunov; L. Elliot Hong; Ioannis Pappas; Meredith Braskie; Hosung Kim; Steven Cen; Kay Jann; Danny JJ Wang
• Keywords: Cognitive Decline; Animal studies; Human brain

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a pivotal role in protecting the central nervous system (CNS), shielding it from potential harmful entities. A natural decline of BBB function with aging has been reported both animal and human studies, which may contribute to cognitive neurodegenerative disorders. Limited data also suggest that being female be associated protective effects on function. Here we investigated age sex-dependent trajectories perfusion water exchange rate (kw) across lifespan 186 cognitively normal participants spanning ages 8 92 years old, using novel non-invasive diffusion prepared pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (DP-pCASL) MRI technique. We found pattern kw varies brain regions. Moreover, results our DP-pCASL technique revealed remarkable beginning early 60s, was more pronounced males. In addition, observed sex differences parietotemporal hippocampal Our findings provide vivo demonstrating aging, serve as foundation for future investigations into other disorders.The serves critical protection mechanism CNS. possible by sex. Using technique, measures without contrast diverse race groups, identified sex-specific patterns especially study unveils dynamic spatiotemporal sex, understanding aberrations