Brain Aging Patterns with ADC Histogram Analysis: A Large Scale and Wide Age Range Retrospective Study (767 Subjects, 15 Days-93.8 Years)

Osamu Sakai¹, Steven Kussman¹, Al Ozonoff², Koji Tanabe¹, Kaan Erbay¹, Memi Watanabe¹, Naoko Saito¹, Hernan Jara¹

Purpose: To study the age dependencies of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram of the brain in the large and wide age ranged population. Also to develop peak and width ADC vs. age mathematical model valid over the full human lifespan. Methods: Brain data of 767 subjects (15 days-93.8 years) obtained by SS-DW-SE-EPI were segmented into the whole intracranial matter leading to ADC histograms. Results: ADC peak value, as well as histogram width of the whole brain showed clear age-related patterns. Conclusion: The mathematical models for ADC peak value and histogram width vs. age valid throughout life have been developed with 767 subjects.