Longitudinal characterization of neuroanatomical changes in the Fischer 344 rat brain during normal aging and between sexes

Abstract

Animal models are widely used to study the pathophysiology of disease and to evaluate the efficacy of novel interventions, crucial steps towards improving disease outcomes in humans. The Fischer 344 (F344) wildtype rat is a common experimental background strain for transgenic models of disease and is also one of the most frequently used models in aging research. Despite frequency of use, characterization of neuroanatomical change with age has not been performed in the F344 rat. To this end, we present a comprehensive longitudinal examination of morphometric change in 73 brain regions and at a voxel-wise level during normative aging in a mixed-sex cohort of F344 rats. We identified age- and sex-related changes in regions such as the cortex, hippocampus, cingulum, caudoputamen, and nucleus accumbens, which are implicated in memory and motor control circuits frequently affected by aging and neurodegenerative disease. These findings provide a baseline for neuroanatomical changes associated with aging in male and female F344 rats, to which data from transgenic models or other background strains can be compared. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIIn vivo magnetic resonance imaging reveals altered neuroanatomy in aging Fischer rats C_LIO_LILinear and curvilinear age effects exist in both grey and white matter structures C_LIO_LISex differences are primarily seen in grey matter structures C_LIO_LIThis study clarifies normal aging trajectories across 73 brain regions in both sexes C_LIO_LIImproved understanding of normal aging will inform future pathological aging studies C_LI