Study of changes of the cerebral white matter anisotrapy in normal adult

Objective:To investigate changes of the cerebral white matter anisotrapy during normal aging by using diffusion-tensor MR imaging.Methods:62 healthy adult volunteers(28 men,34 women;age range 20～68 years;mean age 44.7years) were studied using MR diffusion tensor.The FA values and ADC values were measured.The ROIs were external capsule,anterior limb of the internal capsule,posterior limb of the internal capsule,genu of corpus callosum,splenium of corpus callosum,lentiform nucleus,caudate nucleus,thalamus and cerebrospinal fluid.Results:The significant difference of the FA valaes was found in the genu of corpus callosum(P=0.024),anterior limb of the internal capsule(P=0.0349) with aging.Significant increase of ADC vlues was observed with aging in external capsule(P=0.00925),anterior limb of the internal capsule(P=0.0349) and lentiform nucleus(P=0.009).Conclusion:There was a tenuous FA value reduction and ADC value increase with aging.