Open AccessDiffusion tensor imaging study of brain precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus during normal brain aging process
Author(s) -
Zhou Ling,
Tian Na,
Geng ZuoJun,
Wu BingKun,
Dong LiYing,
Wang MeiRong
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.1758
Subject(s) - postcentral gyrus , precentral gyrus , fractional anisotropy , diffusion mri , white matter , superior temporal gyrus , gyrus , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , psychology , anatomy , audiology , neuroscience , functional magnetic resonance imaging , radiology
Objective To study the changes of white matter tracts in precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus during normal brain aging process by analyzing fractional anisotropy (FA) values obtained from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technology. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were conducted on 120 healthy right‐handed subjects. The subjects were separated into four age groups, namely Young Male/Female (<45 years old) and Senior Male/Female (>45 years old). Each subject undertakes routine MRI and DTI scans. Left/right precentral and left/right postcentral gyrus are automatically detected on the image. The area for region of interest (ROI) is set to be 18 ± 2 mm 2 . Results For each age group, the FA values of white matter in precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus are statistically different ( p < .05) in both left and right sides of the brain across different age groups and genders. Additionally, the FA values are statistically different ( p < .05) between two young and senior age groups across different genders, brain regions, and hemispheres. Conclusion The FA values of precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus are statistically different across genders, age groups, and hemispheres. Additionally, the FA values of both precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus decrease over time, which is a strong indication of aging.