Age-related differences in computed tomographic scan measurements
J. L. Stafford, M. S. Albert, M. A. Naeser, T. Sandor and A. J. Garvey
Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, NY Medical School.
Seventy-nine healthy men ranging in age from 31 to 87 years underwent a
computed tomographic (CT) scan and were administered a neuropsychologic
test battery. Midventricular, high ventricular, and supraventricular CT
slices were analyzed for each individual. Computerized techniques
calculated the percent of fluid volume and the mean CT density for each
slice. The mean CT density of a standard tissue sample was also evaluated.
The results suggest that fluid volume at the level of the ventricles is
fairly stable until individuals are in their 60s, when a dramatic increase
occurs. The percent of fluid volume above the level of the ventricles
appears to increase slightly the ventricles appears to increase slightly in
the 50s and then level off. Whole slice mean CT density numbers decreased
in a linear fashion with increasing age, but the mean CT density of a
standard tissue sample did not. A discriminant function derived from the CT
measures was significantly correlated with a discriminant function derived
from the neuropsychologic test battery. Findings based on subjects whose
health status has been less carefully screened may differ from those in the
present study.
