Age-related morphometric differences observed in cortico-striatal regions.

Age-related differences in white matter diffusivity were detected.

White matter differences were more extensive than gray matter differences.

The rhesus macaque presents a promising model for translational research into human brain aging due to this species’ long lifespan and close phylogenic relationship. We conducted a cross-sectional study identifying microstructural and morphological biomarkers of aging in a cohort of 37 healthy animals (18F/19M, aged 5–28 years), using high-resolution T2-weighted (T2w) and diffusion-weighted (DW) images. Using Tensor Based Morphometry, significant age-associated regional brain atrophy was observed in some areas of the frontal and parietal cortex, as well as the striatum. Additionally, age-associated differences in white matter diffusion were observed in several brain regions, including frontal and temporal white matter areas, and regions of the internal capsule and corpus callosum. Taken together, the results demonstrate that morphological and microstructural age-related differences can be disclosed in cortical, striatal, and thalamic regions, as well as in the white matter fiber pathways connecting these areas, using high-resolution DTI and MRI.

Brain Aging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Rhesus Macaque

Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Tensor Based Morphometry

© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.