This longitudinal study investigated individual differences in brain cortical aging patterns among community-dwelling older adults (ages ~73, ~76, and ~79) using 1376 MRI scans. Volumetric changes across cortical regions were more strongly correlated longitudinally (average r = 0.805) than cross-sectionally (average r = 0.350). Three dimensions of cortical atrophy were identified: a broad cortex-wide dimension (explaining 66% of variance), and more specific fronto-temporal and occipito-parietal dimensions (additional 20% variance). The general atrophy factor was significantly associated with declines in general cognitive ability and specific domains (visuospatial, processing speed, memory). Longitudinal analysis effectively distinguishes lifelong brain-behavior patterns from age-specific patterns.

S. R. Cox, M. A. Harris, S. J. Ritchie, C. R. Buchanan, M. C. Valdés Hernández, J. Corley, A. M. Taylor, J. W. Madole, S. E. Harris, H. C. Whalley, A. M. McIntosh, T. C. Russ, M. E. Bastin, J. M. Wardlaw, I. J. Deary, E. M. Tucker-Drob