Cited by 1,195Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchAging and Gerontology ResearchAdvanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications

Differential aging of the brain: Patterns, cognitive correlates and modifiers

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Raz, Naftali, Rodrigue, Karen M.·2006·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Abstract

Deciphering the secret of successful aging depends on understanding the patterns and biological underpinnings of cognitive and behavioral changes throughout adulthood. That task is inseparable from comprehending the workings of the brain, the physical substrate of behavior. In this review, we summarize the extant literature on age-related differences and changes in brain structure, including postmortem and noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Among the latter, we survey the evidence from volumetry, diffusion-tensor imaging, and evaluations of white matter hyperintensities (WMH). Further, we review the attempts to elucidate the mechanisms of age-related structural changes by measuring metabolic markers of aging through magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). We discuss the putative links between the pattern of brain aging and the pattern of cognitive decline and stability. We then present examples of activities and conditions (hypertension, hormone deficiency, aerobic fitness) that may influence the course of normal aging in a positive or negative fashion. Lastly, we speculate on several proposed mechanisms of differential brain aging, including neurotransmitter systems, stress and corticosteroids, microvascular changes, calcium homeostasis, and demyelination.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2006.07.001

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  • Decreased cognitive performance begins around midlife from 45 years and increases with age due to structural and functional brain changes.

    “The decreased cognitive performance begins around midlife from 45 years [173] and increases with age due to structural and functional changes in the brain (for instance, regional brain volumes and integrity of the white matter, reduction in the fluidity of brain membranes, and changes in lipid composition) [163,174,175,176].”

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Authors
Raz, N., & Rodrigue, K. M.
Affiliations
Wayne State University (US)
Corresponding author
Raz, Naftali
Venue
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-01
Volume
30
Issue
6
Pages
730-748
ISSN
0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2101800098
Cited by
1,195
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 51 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 64 · 2021: 61 · 2020: 72 · 2019: 74 · 2018: 70 · 2017: 64 · 2016: 72 · 2015: 80 · 2014: 77 · 2013: 62 · 2012: 65
FWCI
5.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
  • Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Aging (R37AG011230, R00AG036848, R01AG011230, AG-11230)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
Keywords
cognitive decline, brain volumetry, diffusion tensor imaging, white matter hyperintensities, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, hypertension, hormone deficiency, cardiorespiratory fitness, microvascular changes, calcium homeostasis, demyelination, neurotransmitter systems, successful aging
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aging, Animals, Brain, Brain Mapping, Cognition, Diagnostic Imaging, Humans, Neuropsychological Tests, Pattern Recognition, Physiological

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