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Age-related constraints on the spatial geometry of the brain

Author

Listed:
  • Yuritza Y. Escalante

    (University of California)

  • Jenna N. Adams

    (University of California)

  • Michael A. Yassa

    (University of California)

  • Niels Janssen

    (Universidad de La Laguna
    Universidad de La Laguna
    Universidad de La Laguna)

Abstract

Age-related structural brain changes may be better captured by assessing complex spatial geometric differences rather than isolated changes to individual regions. We applied an analytic method to quantify age-related changes to the spatial anatomy of the brain by measuring expansion and compression of global brain shape and the distance between cross-hemisphere homologous regions. To test how global brain shape and regional distances are affected by aging, we analyzed 2603 structural MRIs (range: 30−97 years). Increasing age was associated with global expansion across inferior-anterior gradients, global compression across superior-posterior gradients, and regional expansion between frontotemporal homologues. Specific patterns of global and regional expansion and compression were further associated with clinical impairment and distinctly related to deficits in various cognitive domains. These findings suggest that changes to the complex spatial anatomy and geometry of the aging brain may be associated with reduced efficiency and cognitive dysfunction in older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuritza Y. Escalante & Jenna N. Adams & Michael A. Yassa & Niels Janssen, 2025. "Age-related constraints on the spatial geometry of the brain," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63628-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63628-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James C. Pang & Kevin M. Aquino & Marianne Oldehinkel & Peter A. Robinson & Ben D. Fulcher & Michael Breakspear & Alex Fornito, 2023. "Geometric constraints on human brain function," Nature, Nature, vol. 618(7965), pages 566-574, June.
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