Summary: A recent study has examined the rate of gray matter volume decrease in different cortical areas, revealing an average shrinkage of 5.25% per decade, with the rostral anterior cingulate cortex experiencing the most significant reduction.
The study also found that the rate of volume decrease is generally higher in men than in women, especially in the cingulate lobe.
These insights provide a robust reference for clinicians dealing with conditions marked by abnormal brain atrophy and highlight the importance of personalized strategies in managing age-associated brain volume loss.
Key Facts:
- Gray matter volume in various cortical areas decreases by an average of 5.25% per decade, with the most substantial reduction observed in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, an area linked to depression.
- Men generally experience a higher rate of gray matter volume decrease than women, particularly in the cingulate lobe, with 85.7% of the examined cortical areas showing this pattern.
- The study’s findings provide a normative reference for clinical conditions that involve abnormal brain atrophy, emphasizing the need for personalized and targeted strategies to manage age-related brain volume loss.
Source: Neuroscience News
Human aging is, amongst other things, a story of loss. But what if we could decode the narrative of one of the most critical losses we face – the loss of brain volume?
A new study has done precisely this by examining the reduction of gray matter in different cortical areas of the brain. The findings add fascinating new layers to our understanding of this complex process.
The study, which leveraged the large dataset of the Human Connectome Project-Aging, analyzed gray matter volume in 35 cortical regions across 712 healthy participants aged between 36 to 90 years. The investigation revealed that the volumes of cortical areas decreased by an average of 5.25% per decade.
Furthermore, the rate of this decrease was not equal across all regions. The rostral anterior cingulate cortex, an area linked to depression, experienced the highest rate of shrinkage, at 7.28% per decade.
Interestingly, the rate of decrease was generally higher in men than in women, and this pattern was particularly pronounced in the cingulate lobe. The study found a greater rate of volume reduction in men in 30 out of 35 (or 85.7%) cortical areas.
The variations in the rate of volume reduction across different areas remain a puzzle. A potential clue lies in the role of the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) DRB1*13:02 allele, which is known to prevent brain gray matter atrophy.
The researchers hypothesize that the extent of exposure to persistent antigens, the availability of local defense mechanisms, and the local inflammatory response could be contributing factors.
Of particular note is the highest rate of volume reduction observed in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC). This region plays a crucial role in emotional-cognitive processing and has been consistently implicated in depression.
The volume of the rACC has been found to predict the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions such as ketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and internet-based cognitive therapy.
The findings suggest that the significant decrease in the volume of rACC with age could be an underlying biological factor influencing the increased prevalence of depression in older adults.
This study offers invaluable insights into the complex interplay of age, sex, and brain volume reduction. By highlighting the different rates of volume reduction in various brain regions and between sexes, it provides a robust reference for clinicians dealing with conditions characterized by abnormal brain atrophy.
These findings underscore the significance of personalized and targeted strategies in managing and potentially mitigating age-associated brain volume loss.
As our population ages, understanding the mechanisms of brain atrophy becomes increasingly important.
This research takes us a step closer, shedding light on the intricacies of brain aging and opening up avenues for potential interventions to maintain cognitive health into old age. After all, every story of loss also brings an opportunity for understanding, resilience, and ultimately, hope.
About this neuroscience research news
Author: Press Office
Source: Neuroscience News
Contact: Press Office – Neuroscience News
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Differential reduction of gray matter volume with age in 35 cortical areas in men (more) and women (less)” by Peka Christova et al. Journal of Neurophysiology
Abstract
Differential reduction of gray matter volume with age in 35 cortical areas in men (more) and women (less)
It is known that brain volume decreases with age. Here, we assessed the rate of this decrease in gray matter volume of 35 cortical regions in a large sample of healthy participants (n = 712, age range 36–90 yr) of the Human Connectome Project-Aging.
We evaluated the difference in this rate between men (n = 316) and women (n = 396) and found that the volumes of cortical areas decreased by an average of 5.25%/decade, with the highest rate of decrease observed in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (7.28%/decade).
The rate of decrease was higher in men than in women in general and in 30/35 (85.7%) areas in particular, involving most prominently the cingulate lobe.
These findings could serve as a normative reference for clinical conditions that manifest with abnormal brain atrophy.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY
This study showed an overall decrease of cortical gray matter with age but with different rates of volume reduction in different areas, with smaller decrease rates in women than in men.
The highest volume reduction rate was observed for the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, an area linked to depression.
These findings could serve as a normative reference for clinical conditions that manifest with abnormal brain atrophy.
