Frontal lobe volume, function, and beta-amyloid pathology in a canine model of aging.
Application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques reveals that human brain aging varies across cortical regions. One area particularly sensitive to normal aging is the frontal lobes. In vitro neuropathological studies and behavioral measures in a canine model of aging previously suggested that the frontal lobes of the dog might be sensitive to aging. In the present study, MRI scans were acquired to compare age-related changes in frontal lobe volume with changes in executive functions and beta-amyloid pathology in the frontal cortex of beagle dogs aged 3 months to 15 years. Decreases in total brain volume appeared only in senior dogs (aged 12 years and older), whereas frontal lobe atrophy developed earlier, appearing in the old dogs (aged 8-11 years). Hippocampal volume also declined with age, but not occipital lobe volume past maturity. Reduced frontal lobe volume correlated with impaired performance on measures of executive function, including inhibitory control and complex working memory, and with increased beta-amyloid accumulation in the frontal cortex. Age-related hippocampal atrophy also correlated with complex working memory but not inhibitory control, whereas occipital lobe volume did not correlate with any cognitive measure. These findings are consistent with the frontal lobe theory of aging in humans, which suggests that the frontal lobes and functions subserved by this region are compromised early in aging.
Tapp
P Dwight
PD
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada. ptapp@uci.edu
Siwak
Christina T
CT
Gao
Fu Qiang
FQ
Chiou
Jr-Yuan
JY
Black
Sandra E
SE
Head
Elizabeth
E
Muggenburg
Bruce A
BA
Cotman
Carl W
CW
Milgram
Norton W
NW
Su
Min-Ying
MY
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D018450:Disease Progression; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides