Age-related changes in intracranial compartment volumes in normal adults assessed by magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) image-based computerized segmentation was used to measure various intracranial compartments in 49 normal volunteers ranging in age from 24 to 80 years to determine age-related changes in brain, ventricular, and extraventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes. The total intracranial volume (sum of brain, ventricular, and extraventricular CSF) averaged 1469 +/- 102 cm3 in men and 1289 +/- 111 cm3 in women. The difference was attributable primarily to brain volume, which accounted for 88.6% of the respective intracranial volumes in both sexes, but was significantly larger in men (1302 +/- 112 cm3) than in women (1143 +/- 105 cm3). In both, the cranial CSF volume averaged 11.4%. Total intracranial volume did not change with age, although the normalized brain volume of both men and women began to decrease after the age of 40 years. This decrease was best reflected by expansion of the extraventricular CSF volume which, after the age of 50 years, was more marked in men than in women. The volume of the cranial CSF, as determined by MR image-based computerized segmentation, is considerably larger than traditionally accepted and resides mostly extraventricularly. Expansion of CSF volume with age provides a good index of brain shrinkage although evolving changes and growth of the head with age tend to confound the results.

Increased CSF Volumes Are Associated with Diminished Subjective Responses to Cocaine Infusion

“…Second, the age range of the subjects is limited and inferences on age-related changes in CSF volumes must be derived primarily from the literature. However, the literature consistently indicate that CSF volumes of the lateral ventricles and frontal lobe CSF increase with age (Coffey et al 1992;Jernigan et al 1990;Matsumae et al 1996;Pfefferbaum et al 1994;Wahlund et al 1990). Third, the statistical analyses did not correct for multiple comparisons; however, the analyses were conducted with clear hypotheses in mind.…”

“…The brain volumes were not directly measured. However, in adults, both brain and CSF are contained within the fixed and rigid bony enclosure of the skull; therefore, CSF volumes serve as very sensitive detectors of small reciprocal changes in the much larger brain compartment (Matsumae et al 1996).…”

“…Regardless, this data supports the possibility that decreasing subcortical and cortical brain volumes (whether accelerated by drug use or not) may be associated with a reduced ability to experience cocaine-induced euphoria. Since the CSF volumes related to these brain regions are known to increase with age (Coffey et al 1992;Jernigan et al 1990;Matsumae et al 1996;Pfefferbaum et al 1994;Wahlund et al 1990;Bartzokis, unpublished data) it is possible that with age, the ability to achieve cocaine-induced euphoria diminishes. This may result in age-related reductions in drug use.…”

“…Rates are highest among the young (17% for ages 18-29), considerably less in middle age (4% for ages 30-59), and virtually non-existent in those over 60 (Miller 1991). While such figures may represent the "wisdom" commonly associated with aging, they may also reflect age-related brain changes (Bartzokis et al 2000;Coffey et al 1992;Gottfries et al 1983;Jernigan et al 1990;Lepage et al 1985;Lim et al 1992;Matsumae et al 1996;Pfefferbaum et al 1994;Raz et al 1998;Sullivan et al 1995;Wahlund et al 1990;Wang et al 1996), which alter the balance between the addicting versus the aversive effects of cocaine by diminishing the euphoric experience of drug intoxication. Consequently, the tendency to develop a dependence syndrome decreases and the capacity to discontinue use increases (Miller 1991;Cook and Harrell 1987;Facy et al 1991;Bartzokis et al 1999b,c).…”

Effects of Healthy Aging Measured By Intracranial Compartment Volumes Using a Designed MR Brain Database

“…However, healthy aging induces brain changes [1], [2]. In young, healthy adults [3] and in nondemented older persons [4], analyses demonstrate that the aging process is a continuum with changes evident before senescence.…”