Cortico-Subcortical Metabolic Changes in Aging Brain

Authors

  • Agostino Chiaravalloti University Tor Vergata
  • Paolo Abbatiello University Tor Vergata
  • Ferdinando Calabria Neuromed
  • Barbara Palumbo University of Perugia
  • Alessandro Martorana University Tor Vergata
  • Orazio Schillaci University Tor Vergata

Keywords:

Aging brain, Claustrum, Cingulate cortex, Prefrontal cortex, Cerebellum, PET/CT

Abstract

Aim: to investigate the effects of aging on brain glucose consumption on a population of healthy subjects.

Materials and methods: 102 chemotherapy-naïve subjects (56 men, 46 women; mean age 57±16 years old; age range 20-89 years) undergoing a whole body 18F FDG PET/CT and found to be completely negative for various diseases in both PET/CT and contrast enhanced CT (performed contextually to PET/CT scan) were enrolled in the study. Age-related changes in brain 18F-FDG uptake were analysed by statistical parametric mapping (SPM8).

Results: aging is related to a reduction of brain glucose consumption in right medial frontal gyrus (BA9) and anterior cingulate cortex (BA32) and to an increased 18F-FDG uptake in right sub-cortical structures (lentiform nucleus, claustrum) and in cerebellum bilaterally.

Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that a reduced functioning of ACC and medial PFC occur in the elderly. An increased activation of the cerebellum, lentiform nucleus and claustrummay represent a compensatory mechanism, possibly involved in cognitive decline.

Author Biographies

Agostino Chiaravalloti, University Tor Vergata

Department of Biomedicine and Prevention

Paolo Abbatiello, University Tor Vergata

Department of Biomedicine and Prevention

Ferdinando Calabria, Neuromed

IRCCS

Barbara Palumbo, University of Perugia

3Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences

Alessandro Martorana, University Tor Vergata

Department of Neurosciences

Orazio Schillaci, University Tor Vergata

Department of Biomedicine and Prevention

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Published

2014-08-12

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2014)

Section

Articles

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