The brain subcortical white matter and aging: A quantitative fractional anisotropy analysis

Engelhardt, Eliasz; Moreira, Denise Madeira; Laks, Jerson

doi:10.1590/s1980-57642009dn30300009

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(45 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In our study, ROIs of the WM of bilateral superior frontal gyri, bilateral precentral gyri, bilateral superior parietal lobes, and bilateral calcarine cortices belong to the subcortical WM. Unlike previous studies of subcortical WM [ 32 , 33 ], we drew irregular ROIs only in the WM of the last branch of the cortex, respecting the border of the cortico-medullary junction. This means those ROIs comprise large quantities of dendrites and U-fibers of the cortex, which are important for local nerve networks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subcortical White Matter Changes with Normal Aging Detected by Multi-Shot High Resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Subcortical white matter builds neural connections between cortical and subcortical regions and constitutes the basis of neural networks. It plays a very important role in normal brain function. Various studies have shown that white matter deteriorates with aging. However, due to the limited spatial resolution provided by traditional diffusion imaging techniques, microstructural information from subcortical white matter with normal aging has not been comprehensively assessed. This study aims to investigate the deterioration effect with aging in the subcortical white matter and provide a baseline standard for pathological disorder diagnosis. We apply our newly developed multi-shot high resolution diffusion tensor imaging, using self-feeding multiplexed sensitivity-encoding, to measure subcortical white matter changes in regions of interest of healthy persons with a wide age range. Results show significant fractional anisotropy decline and radial diffusivity increasing with age, especially in the anterior part of the brain. We also find that subcortical white matter has more prominent changes than white matter close to the central brain. The observed changes in the subcortical white matter may be indicative of a mild demyelination and a loss of myelinated axons, which may contribute to normal age-related functional decline.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subcortical White Matter Changes with Normal Aging Detected by Multi-Shot High Resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The DTI data of both cases were submitted to post-processing to obtain DTI-FA values of the subcortical white matter, which were compared with a control sample of normal elderly individuals 22 . At the beginning of the study, case 1 presented frontal DTI-FA values significantly inferior compared to those of case 2 and to the control group.…”

Section: Results Of Dti-famentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term prognosis of geriatric major depression in relation to cognition and white matter integrity: follow up of two cases

Alves

Sudo

et al. 2012

J. bras. psiquiatr.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction:The geriatric depression (GD) represents one of the most frequent psychiatric disorders in outpatient services specialized in old-age treatment. Objective: The course of two illustrative cases of GD is discussed, highlighting its clinical picture after antidepressant treatment and underlining variables related to disease prognosis, treatment effectiveness and conversion to major cognitive disorders such as vascular dementia (VD). Methods: The cognitive performance, depressive symptoms, autonomy and brain structural measurements as white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and hippocampal size, and microstructural integrity of WM with diffusion tensor imaging were followed during four years. Results: Case 1, with a severe degree of WMH, was associated with worsening cognition and increasing functional disability. Case 2, with mild WMH, an improvement of cognitive functioning could be seen. Conclusions: The existence of different subtypes of GD, as presented in this report, points a pathophysiological heterogeneity of GD, and suggests a possible continuum vascular depression (VaDp) and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).

show abstract

“…These fibers constitute important intra-and interhemispheric tracts, components of neural networks that provide cognitive, behavioral, motor, and sensory integration. These findings suggest that WM alterations are variable throughout the brain and that particular fiber populations within prefrontal region are most vulnerable to age-related degeneration The loss of integrity of the anterior segments of the studied fiber systems with aging, represents a disconnection process that may underlie frontal clinical manifestations found in elderly subjects [19,20]. These aging processes, which occur in the brain bring along cognitive and behavioral-related changes.…”

Section: The Aging Brain and Its Relation To Psychiatric Disordersmentioning

confidence: 89%

Peculiarities of Geriatric Psychiatry: A Focus on Aging and Depression

Laks

Engelhardt

2010

CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is a debate on whether Geriatric Psychiatry stands for itself as a discrete specialty or whether it is an extension of clinical Geriatrics, Neurology, and Psychiatry. This review aims to outline some recent data and possible approaches to define peculiarities of Geriatric Psychiatry, focusing on certain characteristics that define the aging brain. Geriatric depression is discussed taking into consideration some data from translational research. The brain aging process is not uniform. Frontal areas show marked impairment in inhibiting irrelevant information in working memory as they age, and the recruitment of these areas occur differently than in young subjects. Executive functions also change in normal elderly. Geriatric depression is a general definition of a multidimensional disorder with multiple risk factors. Dysexecutive syndrome is considered as a key to the neuropsychology of geriatric depression, correlated with functional impairment in late life. Late-onset depression has a higher load of comordibity, of cerebrovascular disease, and of some genetic factors that may be different from early onset depression. Also, there are at least four clusters of treatment outcomes that are common in geriatric depression, which mirror the neuropsychological and clinical profiles. Research and practice in Geriatric Psychiatry should focus on the interaction of various dimensions and risk factors rather than on attempting to find a single cause to the disorders. Some answers may be found in comorbidity issues, in white matter lesions, which are more common in the elderly, and in genetic factors that impact on the aging process.

show abstract

The brain subcortical white matter and aging: A quantitative fractional anisotropy analysis

Cited by 7 publications

References 44 publications

Subcortical White Matter Changes with Normal Aging Detected by Multi-Shot High Resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Subcortical White Matter Changes with Normal Aging Detected by Multi-Shot High Resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Long-term prognosis of geriatric major depression in relation to cognition and white matter integrity: follow up of two cases

Peculiarities of Geriatric Psychiatry: A Focus on Aging and Depression

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About