Mapping structure and perfusion alterations in the hippocampus subfields and connected cortex across the adult lifespan

Motivation: The structural-perfusion relationship of hippocampal subfields and connected cortex during aging remains unclear. Goal(s): To investigate structural and vascular changes in hippocampal subfields and connected cortex during aging, and their impact on cognition. Approach: T1-weighted and ASL data from 540 subjects in the HCP-Aging dataset were analyzed to assess volume, arterial transit time (ATT), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the hippocampus and connected prefrontal and entorhinal cortex. Results: ATT in hippocampal subfields showed greater age-related vulnerability and correlation with atrophy, especially in females, with CA1 atrophy impacting cognition through delayed ATT in CA1 and the prefrontal cortex. Impact: Using Human Connectome Project - Aging (HCP-Aging) dataset, this study revealed the relationship among structure and vascular function in the hippocampus and connected prefrontal and entorhinal cortex, mapping sex- and subfield-specific trajectories with age.