Data Sheet 1_Age-group differences in diffusion MRI characteristics of cortico-cerebellar tracts and their association with bimanual performance.pdf

These parallel changes may be interrelated, as previous studies have linked cerebral white matter properties to both motor and cognitive function. The cerebellum plays a central role in complex motor coordination and higher-order processes, yet age-related differences in cortico-cerebellar pathways remain insufficiently understood.

This study therefore examined two major cortico-cerebellar tracts — the dentato-rubro-thalamo-cortical tract (DRTT) and the cortico-ponto-cerebellar tract (CPCT) — to assess age-related differences in white matter properties and their association with bimanual motor performance.</p>Methods<p>Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging data from 46 younger and 46 older healthy adults were analyzed using a state-of-the-art fixel-based analysis approach to derive fiber-specific metrics reflecting micro- and macrostructural axonal properties.</p>Results<p>An overall reduction in fiber density and cross-section was observed in older adults, primarily driven by macrostructural differences; alongside localized increases in these structural properties in specific regions.