Examination of Age Related Volume Changes in Brain by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Method

Aim: Normal brain aging is accompanied by cognitive decline. Determination of age-related changes in the brain helps in understanding the healthy aging process. Our aim was to examine the volume changes occurring due to advanced age by investigating the age-related changes in brain during normal aging process. Method: This study was carried out on the magnetic resonance (MR) images of 29 healthy subjects consisting of 13 males and 16 females between the ages of 20 to 80. Volumes of right and left cerebral hemispheres, right and left frontal lobes, and right and left temporal lobes were measured by Cavalieri sections method on MR images. Findings: A significant age-related decline in the volumes of all investigated regions (p<0.05) was observed. The decline in volume is higher in males in comparison to females. Additionally, it has been observed that in male subjects, the volume of right hemisphere, right frontal lobe and right temporal lobe showed more signs of atrophy than left side; whereas in females, the volume of right frontal lobe showed a more prominent decline than its left frontal lobe. Conclusion: An age-related decline in brain volume has been detected for both sexes; however male subjects suffered a more prominent decline than females. We believe that the reason behind this more significant decline might be the effect of gonodal hormones