Converging patterns of aging-associated brain volume loss and tissue microstructure differences.

Given the worldwide increasing socioeconomic burden of aging-associated brain diseases, there is pressing need to gain in-depth knowledge about the neurobiology of brain anatomy changes across the life span. Advances in quantitative magnetic resonance imaging sensitive to brain's myelin, iron, and free water content allow for a detailed in vivo investigation of aging-related changes while reducing spurious morphometry differences. Main aim of our study is to link previous morphometry findings in aging to microstructural tissue properties in a large-scale cohort (n = 966, age range 46-86 y). Addressing previous controversies in the field, we present results obtained with different approaches to adjust local findings for global effects. Beyond the confirmation of age-related atrophy, myelin, and free water decreases, we report proportionally steeper volume, iron, and myelin decline in sensorimotor and subcortical areas paralleled by free water increase. We demonstrate aging-related white matter volume, myelin, and iron loss in frontostriatal projections. Our findings provide robust evidence for spatial overlap between volume and tissue property differences in aging that affect predominantly motor and executive networks.

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