Diffusion tensor-based analysis of white matter in the healthy aging canine brain.

TitleDiffusion tensor-based analysis of white matter in the healthy aging canine brain.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsBarry EF, Loftus JP, Luh W-M, de Leon MJ, Niogi SN, Johnson PJ
JournalNeurobiol Aging
Volume105
Pagination129-136
Date Published2021 09
ISSN1558-1497
KeywordsAnimals, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Dogs, Healthy Aging, Humans, Nerve Degeneration, White Matter
Abstract

White matter dysfunction and degeneration have been a topic of great interest in healthy and pathological aging. While ex vivo studies have investigated age-related changes in canines, little in vivo canine aging research exists. Quantitative diffusion MRI such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has demonstrated aging and neurodegenerative white matter changes in humans. However, this method has not been applied and adapted in vivo to canine populations. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that white matter diffusion changes frequently reported in human aging are also found in aged canines. The study used Tract Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) and a region of interest (ROI) approach to investigate age related changes in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AxD) and radial diffusivity (RD). The results show that, compared to younger animals, aged canines have significant decreases in FA in parietal and temporal regions as well as the corpus callosum and fornix. Additionally, AxD decreases were observed in parietal, frontal, and midbrain regions. Similarly, an age- related increase in RD was observed in the right parietal lobe while MD decreases were found in the midbrain. These findings suggest that canine samples show commonalities with human brain aging as both exhibit similar white matter diffusion tensor changes with increasing age.

DOI10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.04.021
Alternate JournalNeurobiol Aging
PubMed ID34062488
Grant ListRF1 AG057570 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R56 AG058913 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
Related Institute: 
Brain Health Imaging Institute (BHII)

Weill Cornell Medicine
Department of Radiology
525 East 68th Street New York, NY 10065