Quantitative ³¹P MRS of the normal adult human brain. Assessment of interindividual differences and ageing effects

Abstract

The characteristics of the 31P MR spectra from a large central volume in the brain of 47 healthy adults (aged 25-85 years) were assessed. Spectral parameters were estimated by means of a time-domain fitting technique. Statistical uncertainties of the estimates were determined by means of the Cramer-Rao theory and minimized by introducing a priori knowledge into the fitting procedure. Age-dependency of the spectral parameters was assessed by means of linear regression. Significant differences between individuals were established for some parameters. A significant age-dependency (p < or = 0.001) of ca 20% over the age range considered was found for the intensity of the phosphocreatine resonance line.

Brain Bioenergetics and Cognitive Ability

“…The observation of no age-related change in Pi/ATP agrees with those previously made by others [25,26]. This does not, however, necessarily mean that there is no age-related change in any of the constituents of these ratios.…”

“…A study of children aged from 1 to 16 years has reported similar results but no agerelated change in pH, and no significant changes in the spectrum after the age of 3 years [25]. A study of adults aged 25-85 years [26] has reported no change in pH across this age range, but a significant (p ! 0.001) increase in the intensity of PCr.…”

“…Crystallised tasks are those requiring previous education, training and acculturation, while G f tasks demand a more flexible-adaptable response to unfamiliar stimuli. This is of interest when it is noted that there is no significant change in Pi/ATP with age (table 1) [25,26], suggesting that the ratio of Pi/ATP is one which is unaffected by age-related changes in neuronal density or changes in the ratios of contributing cells.…”

Creatine as a booster for human brain function. How might it work?

“…age, including increases in phosphocreatine and ATP [73,82,83] suggesting that total brain bioenergetics capacity increases rather than decreases with age. With increased creatine improving brain function, the reverse has also been shown, where memory exercises have been shown to increase levels of creatine in the hippocampus of healthy elderly performing training in the Method of Loci task, involving delayed recall, spatial and associative memory training, compared to elderly subjects who were merely undertaking tasks of everyday living [84].…”

Quantitative Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease; A Review

“…Longo and coworkers [60] showed an age-dependent decrease in the PCr line intensity obtained from a large central volume of brain in healthy volunteers. The study volume included both gray and white matter.…”