title: Sex differences in the corpus callosum with aging.
abstract: The present study examined sex differences in the area and age-related atrophy of the corpus callosum (CC) of 76 healthy elderly subjects using magnetic resonance imaging. The cerebellum and pons served as noncortical control structures. CC area and its subregions were also related to cognitive performance. Women had a slightly larger posterior sector of the CC than men. Women but not men showed age-related atrophy of the anterior and middle sectors of the CC but not the posterior sector. Cerebellum and pons size was similar in men and women, and neither showed age-related atrophy. CC area was related to visual memory in women but not men; no other significant cognitive to structure area relationships were found. These findings show that selective age related atrophy of the CC differs in men and women late in life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salat
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Janowsky
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D001284:Atrophy / Q000473:pathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D011149:Pons / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics