Age-related changes in the cerebral hemispheres of male and female brains: a morphometric study using MRI brain scans

Abstract

Understanding the differences in brain ageing between males and females and the varying sensitivity of morphometric parameters to ageing are crucial for developing algorithms and protocols for objective and quantitative brain morphology evaluation in clinical practice. The study revealed more pronounced changes in absolute cross-sectional area values corresponding to overall brain tissue with ageing in males. However, no significant sex difference was observed in the age dynamics of relative values. The ratio of two cross-sectional brain areas, considering sulcal content and excluding it, has been identified as the most sensitive parameter to age-related changes in both male and female brains. This ratio could serve as an additional morphometric parameter for diagnostic purposes in examining cerebral structure.