Age‐related changes in human skeletal muscle microstructure and architecture assessed by diffusion‐tensor magnetic resonance imaging and their association with muscle strength
Aging Cell, vol. 22, pp. e13851
Abstract
Abstract Diffusion‐tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT‐MRI) offers objective measures of muscle characteristics, providing insights into age‐related changes. We used DT‐MRI to probe skeletal muscle microstructure and architecture in a large healthy‐aging cohort, with the aim of characterizing age‐related differences and comparing these to muscle strength. We recruited 94 participants (43 female; median age = 56, range = 22–89 years) and measured microstructure parameters—fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD)—in 12 thigh muscles, and architecture parameters—pennation angle, fascicle length, fiber curvature, and physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA)—in the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris longus (BFL). Knee extension and flexion torques were also measured for comparison to architecture measures. FA and MD were associated with age (β = 0.33, p = 0.001, R2 = 0.10; and β = −0.36, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.12), and FA was negatively associated with Type I fiber proportions from the literature (β = −0.70, p = 0.024, and R2 = 0.43). Pennation angle, fiber curvature, fascicle length, and PCSA were associated with age in the RF (β = −0.22, 0.26, −0.23, and −0.31, respectively; p < 0.05), while in the BFL only curvature and fascicle length were associated with age (β = 0.36, and −0.40, respectively; p < 0.001). In the RF, pennation angle and PCSA were associated with strength (β = 0.29, and 0.46, respectively; p < 0.01); in the BFL, only PCSA was associated with strength (β = 0.43; p < 0.001). Our results show skeletal muscle architectural changes with aging and intermuscular differences in the microstructure. DT‐MRI may prove useful for elucidating muscle changes in the early stages of sarcopenia and monitoring interventions aimed at preventing age‐associated microstructural changes in muscle that lead to functional impairment.
Authors 9
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Donnie Cameron Aachen C.J. Gorter MRI Center Department of Radiology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center
University of East Anglia · National Institutes of Health · Leiden University Medical Center · National Institute on Aging
Affiliation as printed
C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Department of Radiology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
Norwich Medical School University of East Anglia Norwich UK
Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health Baltimore Maryland USA
C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Affiliation as printed
Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USA
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Vanderbilt University · Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science Vanderbilt University Medical Center Tennessee Nashville USA
Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tennessee, Nashville, USA
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National Institutes of Health · National Institute on Aging
Affiliation as printed
Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health Baltimore Maryland USA
Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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National Institutes of Health · National Institute on Aging
Affiliation as printed
Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health Baltimore Maryland USA
Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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University of Maryland, Baltimore
Affiliation as printed
Department of Neurology University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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National Institutes of Health · National Institute on Aging
Affiliation as printed
Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health Baltimore Maryland USA
Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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National Institutes of Health · National Institute on Aging
Affiliation as printed
Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health Baltimore Maryland USA
Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Luigi Ferrucci corresponding
National Institutes of Health · National Institute on Aging
Affiliation as printed
Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health Baltimore Maryland USA
Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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