Evaluating Age-Related Brain Changes in the Female Ferret

Motivation: An open-ended question in normal aging is how the brain changes over time and which regions are most susceptible to age-related changes. Goal(s): Using bias-free voxel-wise approach and evaluating warp fields using the logarithm of the determinant of the Jacobian (LogJ), we investigated age-related changes in the female ferret. Approach: We imaged four female ferrets at 1-2 years of age and later at 3-4 years of age using diffusion tensor imaging. Results: Average LogJ maps revealed 24.8% reduction in the superior colliculus. Impact: Voxel-wise morphology in the ferret allows us to track age-related changes in a longitudinal fashion.