Application of voxel-based analysis to gain apparent diffusion coefficient in normal human brain in various age groups

Abstract:

Objective:To explore the apparent diffusion coefficient（ADC） feature in normal human brain in various age groups using diffusion tensor imaging（DTI） through voxel-based analysis（VBA） method. Methods:Sixty younger volunteers and sixty older volun－teers underwent DT1，and gained the ADCmean through DTiStudio．The ADCmean was compared by voxel-based analysis，and so were the areas of the brain with significant changes of the ADCmean between the two groups. Results:Compared with the younger vol－unteers，the older volunteers showed increased ADCmean in the bilateralis inferior frontal gyrus，middle frontal gyrus，superior frontal gyrus，middle temporal gyrus，superior temporal gyrus，cerebellum anterior lobe，culmen，precental and postcental gyrus and so on. Conclusion:The normal ADCmean values through VBA in various age groups measured quantitatively provide the changes between the two groups and can be used to explore the microstructure changes in the older.