The effect of ageing on skeletal muscle as assessed by quantitative MR imaging: an association with frailty and muscle strength

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research 2021-02, Vol.33 (2), p.291-301
• Main Authors: Farrow, M., Biglands, J., Tanner, S. F., Clegg, A., Brown, L., Hensor, E. M. A., O’Connor, P., Emery, P., Tan, A. L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age groups; Aged; Aging; Arthritis; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Fractures; Frailty; Frailty - diagnostic imaging; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Hand Strength; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical research; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle age; Middle Aged; Muscle function; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal - diagnostic imaging; Musculoskeletal system; Older people; Original; Original Article; Osteoarthritis; Sarcopenia; Sarcopenia - diagnostic imaging; Teaching hospitals
• ISSN: 1720-8319; 1594-0667; 1720-8319
• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01530-2

Background Skeletal muscles undergo changes with ageing which can cause sarcopenia that can result in frailty. Quantitative MRI may detect the muscle-deficit component of frailty which could help improve the understanding of ageing muscles. Aims To investigate whether quantitative MRI measures of T2, fat fraction (FF), diffusion tensor imaging and muscle volume can detect differences within the muscles between three age groups, and to assess how these measures compare with frailty index, gait speed and muscle power. Methods 18 ‘young’ (18–30 years), 18 ‘middle-aged’ (31–68 years) and 18 ‘older’ (> 69 years) healthy participants were recruited. Participants had an MRI of their dominant thigh. Knee extension and flexion power and handgrip strength were measured. Frailty (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing frailty index) and gait speed were measured in the older participants. Results Young participants had a lower muscle MRI T2, FF and mean diffusivity than middle-aged and older participants; middle-aged participants had lower values than older participants. Young participants had greater muscle flexion and extension power, muscle volume and stronger hand grip than middle-aged and older participants; middle-aged participants had greater values than the older participants. Quantitative MRI measurements correlated with frailty index, gait speed, grip strength and muscle power. Discussion Quantitative MRI and strength measurements can detect muscle differences due to ageing. Older participants had raised T2, FF and mean diffusivity and lower muscle volume, grip strength and muscle power. Conclusions Quantitative MRI measurements correlate with frailty and muscle function and could be used for identifying differences across age groups within muscle.