Links between Age, White Matter Microstructures, and the SOD2 Allele
Department
Computer Science
Major
Computer Science
Research Advisor
Olbricht, Gayla R.
Advisor's Department
Mathematics and Statistics
Funding Source
OURE
Abstract
Human brains’ structures can change with age and differing health conditions. This study investigates the relationship between age and the presence of the superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2) allele in healthy individuals by using diffusion tensor imaging, or DTI, to measure five different aspects of white matter structural integrity in eight different brain regions. A multivariate analysis of covariance was used to test for differences in structures and SOD2 status while controlling for age. Other statistical methods were performed to test for demographic differences by SOD2 dominance. The results of this study will enable researchers to better understand the association between the SOD2 allele, age, and white matter structural differences in specific brain regions.
Biography
Matthew Healy is a junior in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. Active on campus, he is the head of a research group for Dr. Markowsky in the Computer Science department, and is secretary of S&T’s Underwater Robotics Team. He is also working on independent projects relating to robotics education and is an undergraduate researcher for the department of applied mathematics and statistics.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium
Presentation Date
17 Apr 2018, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Links between Age, White Matter Microstructures, and the SOD2 Allele
Upper Atrium
Human brains’ structures can change with age and differing health conditions. This study investigates the relationship between age and the presence of the superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2) allele in healthy individuals by using diffusion tensor imaging, or DTI, to measure five different aspects of white matter structural integrity in eight different brain regions. A multivariate analysis of covariance was used to test for differences in structures and SOD2 status while controlling for age. Other statistical methods were performed to test for demographic differences by SOD2 dominance. The results of this study will enable researchers to better understand the association between the SOD2 allele, age, and white matter structural differences in specific brain regions.
