Mean diffusivity (MD) is known to increase with age in the white matter (WM), serving as a measure of age-related WM degeneration. However, age-effects on MD with age have scarcely been studied in the gray matter. Here we examine age-effects on MD across the cerebral cortex. MD is shown to correlate more strongly with age than cortical thickness measurements derived from anatomical MRI. Cortical regions showing the largest MD age-effects include the insula and anterior cingulate, suggesting greatest neurodegeneration in these regions. This work suggests that MD may be used as a sensitive measure of aging in the cerebral cortex.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.