Accelerated aging of the putamen in men but not in women

Neurobiol Aging. 2009 Jan;30(1):147-51. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2007.05.016. Epub 2007 Jul 3.

Abstract

Age-related structural brain changes have been demonstrated repeatedly but data on the effect of gender on age-related structural brain changes are conflicting. Using high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and voxel-based morphometry, we examined a population of 133 healthy adults (women, 73; men, 60; age range, 29-80 years) focusing on differential aging between men and women (i.e., interaction of age and gender). Compared to women, men showed accelerated age-related gray matter (GM) loss in the posterior putamen. Our data may constitute the structural substrate for age-related differences in motor function between men and women such as the higher incidence and earlier onset of Parkinson's disease in men.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Putamen / anatomy & histology*
  • Sex Factors