ISSN : 2663-2187

Morphological Changes in the Aging Brain: Implications for Cognitive Decline and Neurodegeneration

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Dr. Shashikant B. Mane, Dr. Milind M. Thorat
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.14.2024.8331-8352

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between age-related morphological changes in the brain and cognitive decline, aiming to elucidate how these structural changes contribute to cognitive impairments and to evaluate the effectiveness of early interventions. Employing a cross-sectional design, 430 participants aged 50 to 89 years underwentstructural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging alongside cognitive assessments, including MMSE and ADAS-Cog. Major findings reveal significant correlations between reduced brain volume, cortical thinning, and decreased white matter integrity with cognitive decline. Educational background and cognitive reserve were found to moderate the impact of these structural changes, offering some protective effects against cognitive impairment. Longitudinal analyses further demonstrated that progressive brain atrophy is associated with worsening cognitive function over time. Early intervention strategies were effective in preserving both brain morphology and cognitive function. These results underscore the importance of early detection and proactive measures to mitigate the effects of aging on brain health.

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