Age-dependent changes in the brain of albino rats (Rattus norvegicus): A morphometric analysis and magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

The current manuscript had been conducted to evaluate the effect of ageing on the brains of albino rats on the macro-morphometric level and to assess the different parameters of brain and brain structures affected by ageing. Fifty apparently healthy rats of both sexes (27 males and 23 females) were used in the study, in addition to three rats for MRI. The animals were divided into four groups according to their age. Magnetic resonance imaging and cross sections of the brain were performed to document dimensions of various brain structures such as the hippocampus, surface area of lateral ventricle as well as dorsal and piriform cortices. Ageing would result into a negative impact on some brain structures. However, some others had not been affected as much. Furthermore, sex of the animal presented an important role as a variant where male rats of each age group demonstrated different results than their analogous female rats. In addition, MRI examination of the rat brain allowed recognition of the major cerebral structures. Findings of this work might be considered as a trial to provide a proof of changes resulted from normal ageing in both male and female rats and which sex is more affected than the other.