Yanwei Miao, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ting Liu MMed, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jianlin Wu, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Qing Zhang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jingwen Zhang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To study the correlation of Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) signal values of deep brain gray nucleus and age in normal human brain and to evaluate the brain iron changes with advancing age in SWI signal values, and for the further studies of neurodegenerative disorders.

171 adults (86 males, 85 females) participated the MR examination. None of them had the history of neurological and psychotic diseases. The ages ranged from 20 to 69 years old (mean 44.26 years old). They were divided into five age groups by ten years purposely: 20~29, 30~39, 40~49, 50~59, 60~69. Each group has 31, 33, 35, 40 and 32 participants respectively.  The MRI examinations were performed using GE Signa 1.5T echospeed MR/I scanner and 8-channel head coil. The signal values of substantia nigra, red nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, caudate nucleus on SWI were measured by GE ADW 4.3 measuring tools. The measurement was conducted three times with variable oval areas. All the statistical data were displayed as Mean±SD. Different age groups SWI signal values were compared by using the one-way ANOVA. The relationship between SWI signal values of deep brain gray nucleus and age use linear correlation model. P<0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference.  

In 171 cases the signal values of deep brain gray nucleus of SWI was lowest in the deep gray matter in the same age group. In the 20~39 group, the low-to-high order of signal values was: substantia nigra, globus pallidus, red nucleus, caudate nucleus, putamen. In the 40~69 group, the low-to-high order was as follows: substantia nigra, red nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, caudate nucleus. The speed of brain iron deposit is slower between 20~39 group, and higher decrease after 40 years (especially red nucleus and putamen), while it is slower change after 60 years (substantia nigra, red nucleus). There is an opposite correlation between age and SWI signal values (substantia nigra, r=-0.759, red nucleus r=-0.875, putamen r=-0.880, caudate nucleus r=-0.524, P＜0.001), and there is a slightly opposite linear correlation between globus pallidus SWI signal values and age(r =-0.211,P=0.042).

SWI provides a new method in detection and quantitative measurement of brain iron.

SWI provides a new method in detection and quantitative measurement of brain iron.

Miao, Y, Liu, T, Wu, J, Zhang, Q, Zhang, J, Correlation Study of SWI Signal Values of Deep Brain Gray Nucleus and Age.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6010579.html