Work

Age- and gender-related differences in brain tissue microstructure revealed by multi-component T2 relaxometry

Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: In spite of extensive work, inconsistent findings and lack of specificity in most neuroimaging techniques used to examine age- and gender-related patterns in brain tissue microstructure indicate the need for additional research. Here, we performed the largest Multi-component T2 relaxometry cross-sectional study to date in healthy adults (N = 145, 18−60 years). Five quantitative microstructure parameters derived from various segments of the estimated T2 spectra were evaluated, allowing a more specific interpretation of results in terms of tissue microstructure. We found similar age-related myelin water fraction (MWF) patterns in men and women but we also observed differential male related results including increased MWF content in a few white matter tracts, a faster decline with age of the intra- and extra-cellular water fraction and its T2 relaxation time (i.e. steeper age related negative slopes) and a faster increase in the free and quasi-free water fraction, spanning the whole grey matter. Such results point to a sexual dimorphism in brain tissue microstructure and suggest a lesser vulnerability to age-related changes in women.
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,200
OpenAlex ID: W3169907177
FWCI: 2.661
Cites: 90
Cited by: 33
Related to: 10