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 mm2 .
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.
Keywords: age-related analysis; brain imaging; diffusion tensor imaging; fractional anisotropy value; magnetic resonance imaging; postcentral gyrus; precentral gyrus.
© 2020 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.