Re-examining age-related differences in white matter microstructure with free-water corrected diffusion tensor imaging.

ABSTRACT: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been used extensively to investigate white matter (WM) microstructural changes during healthy adult aging. However, WM fibers are known to shrink throughout the lifespan, leading to larger interstitial spaces with age. This could allow more extracellular free water molecules to bias DTI metrics, which are relied upon to provide WM microstructural information. Using a cohort of 212 participants, we demonstrate that WM microstructural changes in aging are potentially less pronounced than previously reported once the free water compartment is eliminated. After free water elimination, DTI parameters show age-related differences that match histological evidence of myelin degradation and debris accumulation. The fraction of free water is further shown to associ

SUBMITTER: Chad JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6179151 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature