Correlation of age with the size of subcortical nuclei of the brain and its implication in degenerative disease: A magnetic resonance imaging study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

• Published in: F1000 research Vol. 12; p. 1230
• Main Authors: Dhamija, Aditij, Andrade, Lydia S., K., Prakashini, Gupta, Chandni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 2023
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging - pathology; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain - pathology; Caudate Nucleus - diagnostic imaging; Caudate Nucleus - pathology; Female; Globus Pallidus - diagnostic imaging; Globus Pallidus - pathology; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Neurodegenerative Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Neurodegenerative Diseases - pathology; Organ Size; Young Adult; Aging; Brain; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurosurgeons
• ISSN: 2046-1402; 2046-1402
• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.139515.1

Background: Aging is a non-modifiable risk factor for neurodegenerative disease. It is well established that the brain undergoes physiological atrophy with age. So, this study was conducted to analyse the correlation between the age of the person and the size of the various subcortical nuclei of the brain and whether these measurements can serve as a useful indicator for physiological atrophy leading to degenerative disease in clinical practice. Methods: A total of 600 MRI scans from healthy individuals were examined and the measurements of subcortical nuclei were taken and subsequently analysed. Results: A statistically significant difference between the genders was observed in the sizes of the axial diameters of caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus. Caudate nucleus transverse diameter showed a moderate negative correlation with age in males. Globus pallidus axial diameter with age showed weak positive correlation for males. Globus pallidus transverse diameter showed weak positive correlation with age for both males and females, but it was stronger for males compared to females. Conclusions: These results will help neurologists and neurosurgeons in analysing various early degenerative diseases and treat them accordingly.