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. 2024 Apr 2:12:1230.
doi: 10.12688/f1000research.139515.2. eCollection 2023.

Correlation of age with the size of subcortical nuclei of the brain and its implication in degenerative disease: A magnetic resonance imaging study

Aditij Dhamija  1 , Lydia S Andrade  2 , Prakashini K  3 , Chandni Gupta  2
Affiliations

Correlation of age with the size of subcortical nuclei of the brain and its implication in degenerative disease: A magnetic resonance imaging study

Aditij Dhamija et al. F1000Res. .

Abstract

Background: Aging is a non-modifiable risk factor for neurodegenerative disease. It is well established that the brain undergoes physiological atrophy with age. So, this study was conducted to analyse the correlation between the age of the person and the size of the various subcortical nuclei of the brain and whether these measurements can serve as a useful indicator for physiological atrophy leading to degenerative disease in clinical practice.

Methods: A total of 600 MRI scans from healthy individuals were examined and the measurements of subcortical nuclei were taken and subsequently analysed.

Results: A statistically significant difference between the genders was observed in the sizes of the axial diameters of caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus. Caudate nucleus transverse diameter showed a moderate negative correlation with age in males. Globus pallidus axial diameter with age showed weak positive correlation for males. Globus pallidus transverse diameter showed weak positive correlation with age for both males and females, but it was stronger for males compared to females.

Conclusions: These results will help neurologists and neurosurgeons in analysing various early degenerative diseases and treat them accordingly.

Keywords: Aging; Brain; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurosurgeons..

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Conflict of interest statement

No competing interests were disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. The measurements taken on the subcortical nuclei.
A) Vertical/axial diameter of the putamen; B) Transverse diameter of the putamen; C) Vertical/axial diameter of the globus pallidus; D) Transverse diameter of the globus pallidus; E) Vertical/axial diameter of the caudate nucleus; F) Transverse diameter of the caudate nucleus.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Bar chart visualising the variability of data in the parameters of the subcortical nuclei.
The trends seen with age can also be visualised.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Bar chart visualising the variability of data in the parameters of the subcortical nuclei.
The trends between males and females can be observed for all parameters.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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