[HTML][HTML] Characterizing axonal myelination within the healthy population: a tract-by-tract mapping of effects of age and gender on the fiber g-ratio

M Cercignani, G Giulietti, NG Dowell, M Gabel… - Neurobiology of …, 2017 - Elsevier
M Cercignani, G Giulietti, NG Dowell, M Gabel, R Broad, PN Leigh, NA Harrison, M Bozzali
Neurobiology of aging, 2017Elsevier
The g-ratio, equal to the ratio of the inner-to-outer diameter of a myelinated axon, is
associated with the speed of conduction, and thus reflects axonal function and integrity. It is
now possible to estimate an “aggregate” g-ratio in vivo using MRI. The aim of this study was
to assess the variation of the MRI-derived fiber g-ratio in the brain of healthy individuals, and
to characterize its variation across the lifespan. Thirty-eight healthy participants, aged
between 20 and 76, were recruited. Whole-brain g-ratio maps were computed and analyzed …
Abstract
The g-ratio, equal to the ratio of the inner-to-outer diameter of a myelinated axon, is associated with the speed of conduction, and thus reflects axonal function and integrity. It is now possible to estimate an “aggregate” g-ratio in vivo using MRI. The aim of this study was to assess the variation of the MRI-derived fiber g-ratio in the brain of healthy individuals, and to characterize its variation across the lifespan. Thirty-eight healthy participants, aged between 20 and 76, were recruited. Whole-brain g-ratio maps were computed and analyzed voxel-wise. Median tract g-ratio values were also extracted. No significant effect of gender was found, whereas age was found to be significantly associated with the g-ratio within the white matter. The tract-specific analysis showed this relationship to follow a nearly-linear increase, although the slope appears to slow down slightly after the 6th decade of life. The most likely interpretation is a subtle but consistent reduction in myelin throughout adulthood, with the density of axons beginning to decrease between the 4th and 5th decade.
Elsevier