Ai Wern Chung1, Rebecca A. Charlton1,
Nigel C. Lawes2, Robin G. Morris3, Hugh S. Markus1,
Thomas R. Barrick1
1Centre for Clinical Neuroscience,
Saint George's University of London, London, United Kingdom; 2Graduate
Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; 3Department
of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College University of London,
London, United Kingdom
We
present a novel technique applying probabilistic diffusion tensor tractography
on longitudinal data to assess white matter structural integrity in ageing
subjects over a period of two years. Our method was able to consistently
extract white matter tracts associated with working memory over time and
between two ageing cohorts (middle-aged and elderly). Tract connections were
found between the fronto-temporal, fronto-parietal and temporo-parietal
lobes. Our study suggests a decrease in white matter structural integrity of
these tracts with age could be related to the decline in working memory
performance.