Charting human subcortical maturation across the adult lifespan with in vivo 7 T MRI
Steven Miletić,
Pierre-Louis Bazin,
Scott J.S. Isherwood,
Max C. Keuken,
Anneke Alkemade,
Birte U. Forstmann
Affiliations
Steven Miletić
Corresponding author.; University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychology, Integrative Model-based Cognitive Neuroscience research unit (IMCN), Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, Amsterdam 1001 NK, the Netherlands
Pierre-Louis Bazin
University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychology, Integrative Model-based Cognitive Neuroscience research unit (IMCN), Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, Amsterdam 1001 NK, the Netherlands; Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Departments of Neurophysics and Neurology, Stephanstraße 1A, Leipzig, Germany
Scott J.S. Isherwood
University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychology, Integrative Model-based Cognitive Neuroscience research unit (IMCN), Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, Amsterdam 1001 NK, the Netherlands
Max C. Keuken
University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychology, Integrative Model-based Cognitive Neuroscience research unit (IMCN), Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, Amsterdam 1001 NK, the Netherlands
Anneke Alkemade
University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychology, Integrative Model-based Cognitive Neuroscience research unit (IMCN), Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, Amsterdam 1001 NK, the Netherlands
Birte U. Forstmann
University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychology, Integrative Model-based Cognitive Neuroscience research unit (IMCN), Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, Amsterdam 1001 NK, the Netherlands; Co-corresponding author.
The human subcortex comprises hundreds of unique structures. Subcortical functioning is crucial for behavior, and disrupted function is observed in common neurodegenerative diseases. Despite their importance, human subcortical structures continue to be difficult to study in vivo. Here we provide a detailed account of 17 prominent subcortical structures and ventricles, describing their approximate iron and myelin contents, morphometry, and their age-related changes across the normal adult lifespan. The results provide compelling insights into the heterogeneity and intricate age-related alterations of these structures. They also show that the locations of many structures shift across the lifespan, which is of direct relevance for the use of standard magnetic resonance imaging atlases. The results further our understanding of subcortical morphometry and neuroimaging properties, and of normal aging processes which ultimately can improve our understanding of neurodegeneration.
