In vivo evaluation of optic nerve aging in adult rhesus monkey by diffusion tensor imaging.

摘要: Aging of the optic nerve can result in reduced visual sensitivity or vision loss. Normal aging has been investigated previously tissue specimens but poorly explored vivo. In present study, normal was evaluated by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) non-human primates. Adult female rhesus monkeys at ages 9 to 13 years old (young group, n=8) and 21 27 (old n=7) were studied using parallel-imaging-based DTI on a clinical 3T scanner. Compared young adults, showed 26% lower fractional anisotropy (P<0.01), 44% greater radial diffusivity, although latter difference marginal statistical significance (P=0.058). These MRI findings are largely consistent with published results light electron microscopic studies macaque monkeys, which indicate loss fibers degenerative changes myelin sheaths.