Global versus tract-specific components of cerebral white matter integrity: relation to adult age and perceptual-motor speed.

ABSTRACT: Although age-related differences in white matter have been well documented, the degree to which regional, tract-specific effects can be distinguished from global, brain-general effects is not yet clear. Similarly, the manner in which global and regional differences in white matter integrity contribute to age-related differences in cognition has not been well established. To address these issues, we analyzed diffusion tensor imaging measures from 52 younger adults (18-28) and 64 older adults (60-85). We conducted principal component analysis on each diffusion measure, using data from eight individual tracts. Two components were observed for fractional anisotropy: the first comprised high loadings from the superior longitudinal fasciculi and corticospinal tracts, and the second comprised hig

SUBMITTER: Johnson MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4277942 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature