Role of brain iron and microbleeds in cognitive and physical function in a population-based study on aging: A deep-learning approach

Age-related cognitive and physical decline leads to deleterious outcomes such as loss of autonomy and dementia.

Although neuroimaging research has undeniably increased knowledge about the neural substrates of cognitive and physical function in aging, there are still many unknowns. First, a certain number of brain areas have been largely neglected, mostly due to technical limitations.

Second, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) have been less investigated than other cerebrovascular lesions despite their prevalence in aging.

The aims of the present project are to (a) characterize the role of previously neglected nuclei (substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus, red nucleus, dentate nucleus, mammillary bodies) on cognitive and physical function in older individuals in terms of iron load (which is toxic to the cells), (b) assess the contribution of CMBs among other cerebrovascular lesions to cognitive and physical function.

The target population is a subsample of the well-characterized SNAC-K study (Swedish National study on Aging and Care – Kungsholmen), who is planned to have an extensive Magnetic Resonance Imaging assessment (N = 560, age > 60-years).

A key aspect of the project is the development of advanced deep-learning methods to automatically assess these neuroimaging markers.

Overall, this project will add novel and important knowledge in the cognitive neuroscience of aging by uncovering the contribution of overlooked brain regions and CMBs on cognitive and physical function.