Scientists at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have discovered that healthy brain wiring may help shield older adults from some of the cognitive effects of age-related gray matter loss. The study, published in *Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association*, examined 459 adults aged 60 and older in India.
The research indicates that the brain’s short-range wiring, specifically superficial white matter, could influence how strongly gray matter loss affects thinking abilities. This superficial white matter forms a layer of nerve fibers beneath the gray matter and connects nearby regions of the cerebral cortex, facilitating information exchange. Gray matter processes information, while the white matter supports communication between brain regions.
“Gray matter and superficial white matter are physically close and may play different roles: gray matter processes information, while superficial white matter helps nearby brain regions communicate,” said Yingxu Liu, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar at the Stevens INI and first author of the study. “Our findings suggest that cognitive health depends not only on how much gray matter is preserved, but also on the condition of the wiring that connects it.”
Researchers used an advanced diffusion MRI technique to investigate these connections, tracking water movement through brain tissue to examine microscopic features. Measurements focused on neurite density—the small projections through which nerve cells send signals—and the amount of freely moving water surrounding these structures. Lower neurite density or increased free water can indicate damage or disruption.
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