Age-Associated Structural Decline Is Linked To Arterial Flow Territories In The Brain: Insights From Lifespan Human Connectome Project In Aging
As we age, our brains undergo structural changes, a process that is widespread and noticeable. However, scientists have been trying to understand if these changes happen randomly or if there are specific areas more vulnerable than others, and what biological factors might be driving these patterns. This new research suggests that the way our brain structure declines with age isn’t random at all. Instead, the patterns of decline seem to mirror the brain’s “arterial flow territories,” which are essentially the regions of the brain supplied by specific major arteries. This means that the brain’s vascular architecture—how blood vessels are arranged and supply blood—might be a key organizing principle in how our brains age. Understanding this link could be crucial for future research into aging and brain disorders, potentially helping to identify individuals at higher risk and develop new treatments that target these physiological processes.
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