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Zusammenfassung:
Given the worldwide increasing socio-economic burden of ageing-associated brain diseases, there is pressing need to gain in-depth knowledge about the neuro-biology of brain anatomy changes across the lifespan. Advances in quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sensitive to brain’s myelin, iron and free water content allow for a detailed in vivo investigation of ageing-related changes whilst reducing spurious morphometry differences. Main aim of our study is to link previous morphometry findings in ageing to microstructural tissue properties in a large-scale cohort (n=966, age range 46-86y). 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 ageing-related white matter volume, myelin and iron loss in fronto-striatal projections. Our findings provide robust evidence for spatial overlap between volume and tissue property differences in ageing that affect predominantly motor and executive networks.
