Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Steffener J, Habeck C, O'Shea D, Razlighi Q, Bherer L, Stern Y
Journal Neurobiol Aging
Volume 40
Pagination 138-144
Date Published 02/01/2016
ISSN 1558-1497
Keywords Aging, Diagnostic Self Evaluation, Educational Status, Exercise, Gray Matter
Abstract This study investigated the relationship between education and physical activity and the difference between a physiological prediction of age and chronological age (CA). Cortical and subcortical gray matter regional volumes were calculated from 331 healthy adults (range: 19-79 years). Multivariate analyses identified a covariance pattern of brain volumes best predicting CA (R(2) = 47%). Individual expression of this brain pattern served as a physiologic measure of brain age (BA). The difference between CA and BA was predicted by education and self-report measures of physical activity. Education and the daily number of flights of stairs climbed (FOSC) were the only 2 significant predictors of decreased BA. Effect sizes demonstrated that BA decreased by 0.95 years for each year of education and by 0.58 years for 1 additional FOSC daily. Effects of education and FOSC on regional brain volume were largely driven by temporal and subcortical volumes. These results demonstrate that higher levels of education and daily FOSC are related to larger brain volume than predicted by CA which supports the utility of regional gray matter volume as a biomarker of healthy brain aging.
DOI 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.01.014
PubMed ID 26973113
PubMed Central ID PMC4792330
Back to Top