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. 2014:2014:196513.
doi: 10.1155/2014/196513. Epub 2014 Apr 13.

The limbic degradation of aging brain: a quantitative analysis with diffusion tensor imaging

Hediye Pınar Gunbey  1 , Karabekir Ercan  2 , Ayşe Serap Fındıkoglu  3 , H Taner Bulut  4 , Mustafa Karaoglanoglu  2 , Halil Arslan  2
Affiliations

The limbic degradation of aging brain: a quantitative analysis with diffusion tensor imaging

Hediye Pınar Gunbey et al. ScientificWorldJournal. 2014.

Abstract

Introduction: The limbic system primarily responsible for our emotional life and memories is known to undergo degradation with aging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is capable of revealing the white matter integrity. The aim of this study is to investigate age-related changes of quantitative diffusivity parameters and fiber characteristics on limbic system in healthy volunteers.

Methods: 31 healthy subjects aged 25-70 years were examined at 1,5 TMR. Quantitative fiber tracking was performed of fornix, cingulum, and the parahippocampal gyrus. The fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements of bilateral hippocampus, amygdala, fornix, cingulum, and parahippocampal gyrus were obtained as related components.

Results: The FA values of left hippocampus, bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, and fornix showed negative correlations with aging. The ADC values of right amygdala and left cingulum interestingly showed negative relation and the left hippocampus represented positive relation with age. The cingulum showed no correlation. The significant relative changes per decade of age were found in the cingulum and parahippocampal gyrus FA measurements.

Conclusion: Our approach shows that aging affects hippocampus, parahippocampus, and fornix significantly but not cingulum. These findings reveal age-related changes of limbic system in normal population that may contribute to future DTI studies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Fiber tracking was performed for 3D segmentation of the two major white matter tracts of the limbic system, the fornix (b), the cingulum (c), and additionally the parahippocampal gyrus (a).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Examples of ROI placements on the hippocampus (a), the amygdala (b), and the parahippocampus (c) obtained from a 33-year-old man.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The ADC values of hippocampus, parahippocampus, and fornix were found to be higher in women.
Figure 4
Figure 4
In group analysis, both sides parahippocampal and cingular FA and ADC values were statistically different between groups (P < 0.05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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