Age- and gender-related differences in brain tissue microstructure revealed by multi-component T-2 relaxometry

Identifier:  imarina:9227042

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9227042

Authors:  Canales-Rodríguez, EJ; Alonso-Lana, S; Verdolini, N; Sarró, S; Feria, I; Montoro, I; Garcia-Ruiz, B; Jimenez, E; Varo, C; Albacete, A; Argila-Plaza, I; Lluch, A; Bonnin, CM; Vilella, E; Vieta, E; Pomarol-Clotet, E; Salvador, R

Abstract:
In spite of extensive work, inconsistent findings and lack of specificity in most neuroimaging techniques used to examine age- and gender-related patterns in brain tissue microstructure indicate the need for additional research. Here, we performed the largest Multi-component T-2 relaxometry cross-sectional study to date in healthy adults (N = 145, 18-60 years). Five quantitative microstructure parameters derived from various segments of the estimated T-2 spectra were evaluated, allowing a more specific interpretation of results in terms of tissue microstructure. We found similar age-related myelin water fraction (MWF) patterns in men and women but we also observed differential male related results including increased MWF content in a few white matter tracts, a faster decline with age of the intra- and extra-cellular water fraction and its T-2 relaxation time (i.e. steeper age related negative slopes) and a faster increase in the free and quasi-free water fraction, spanning the whole grey matter. Such results point to a sexual dimorphism in brain tissue microstructure and suggest a lesser vulnerability to age-related changes in women. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.