The BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity response to progressive hypercapnia in young and elderly

Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) imaging in combination with vasoactive stimuli can be used to probe cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR). Characterizing the healthy, age-related changes in the BOLD-CVR response can provide a reference point from which to distinguish abnormal CVR from the otherwise normal effects of ageing. Using a computer controlled gas delivery system, we examine differences in BOLD-CVR response to progressive hypercapnia between 16 young (28 ± 3 years, 9 female) and 30 elderly subjects (66 ± 4 years, 13 female). Furthermore, we incorporate baseline T₂* information to broaden our interpretation of the BOLD-CVR response. Significant age-related differences were observed. Grey matter CVR at 7 mm Hg above resting PetCO₂ was lower amongst elderly (0.19 ± 0.06%δBOLD/mm Hg) as compared to young subjects (0.26 ± 0.07%δBOLD/mm Hg). White matter CVR at 7 mm Hg above baseline PetCO₂ showed no significant difference between young (0.04 ± 0.02%δBOLD/mm Hg) and elderly subjects (0.05 ± 0.03%δBOLD/mm Hg). We saw no significant differences in the BOLD signal response to progressive hypercapnia between male and female subjects in either grey or white matter. The observed differences in the healthy BOLD-CVR response could be explained by age-related changes in vascular mechanical properties.