A novel blood tracking technique based on BOLD MRI signal was applied to two age groups of healthy subjects (n=81) to investigate age-related alterations in cerebral circulation. By mapping the phase of low-frequency component and between-subject regression analysis on this “BOLD lag map”, linear extension of venous drainage times with age was found in the deep venous system draining the periventricular region. Interestingly, age-related shortening of washout time was observed in the superficial system involving the major sinuses. This dissociation of deep and superficial venous systems may reflect focal inefficiency in the deep system as part of normal aging processes.
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