Age-related time-dependent diffusivity changes within healthy human prostate

Diffusion MRI is used daily in prostate cancer diagnosis. Modification of the diffusion time can probe alterations in prostate microstructure dimensions that may occur with aging or cancer. The mean diffusivity (MD) difference between ‘long’ diffusion time stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) and ‘short’ diffusion time oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE), and between STEAM and ‘medium’ diffusion time pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) showed significant positive linear correlation versus age in peripheral zone of healthy adult prostate (n=15); however, this correlation was not identified in the central gland. Diffusion time sensitivity could reveal age-related prostate tissue microstructural remodeling.