Assessing Age-Related Gray Matter Differences in Young Adults with Voxel-Based Morphometry: The Effect of Field Strengths

Brain Sciences

Jyun-Ru Chen¹  Shin-Lei Peng¹  Chun-Ming Chen²  Feng-Yi Su²  Yen-Chih Huang² 

[1] Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan;Department of Medical Imaging, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404333, Taiwan;

关键词: voxel-based morphometry (VBM);    gray matter;    field strength;    visual cortex;    cerebellum;   

DOI  :  10.3390/brainsci11040447

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Knowing the patterns of brain differences with age in the young population could lead to a better understanding of the causes of certain psychiatric disorders; however, relevant information is insufficient. Here, a pattern of regional gray matter (GM) that changed with age in a young cohort aged 20–30 years was provided. Extending from previous age studies, all participants were imaged at both 1.5 T and 3 T to address the question of how far the field strength influences results. Fifty-nine young participants aged 20–30 years were scanned at both 1.5 T and 3 T. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to estimate the GM volume. Some brain regions showed a significant field strength-dependent difference in GM volume. VBM uncovered a significantly age-related increase in the GM volume in the left visual-associated area at 3 T, which was not detected at 1.5 T. In addition, voxels at 1.5 T that revealed a significant age-related reduction in the GM volume were found in the right cerebellum. In conclusion, age-related differences in human brain morphology could even be detected in a young cohort aged 20–30 years; however, the results varied across field strengths. Thus, field strength should be considered an important factor when comparing age-specific brain differences across studies.

【 授权许可】

Unknown