Age-Related Changes in Pharyngeal and Supraglottic Sensation

1994 ◽  
Vol 103 (10) ◽  
pp. 749-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Martin ◽  
Beverly Diamond ◽  
Jonathan E. Aviv ◽  
Michael E. Jones ◽  
Monte S. Keen ◽  
...  

As one ages, sensory discrimination in the oral cavity progressively diminishes, and dysphagia and aspiration are more likely to occur. Whether similar age-related laryngeal and pharyngeal sensory abnormalities exist and contribute to dysphagia and aspiration is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if sensory discrimination in the area innervated by the superior laryngeal nerve diminishes with increasing age. By applying a previously described new device and technique that utilizes brief air pulse stimulation of the anterior wall of the pyriform sinus, sensory discrimination can be reliably determined. We carried out 672 trials in 56 healthy adults divided into three age groups: 20 to 40, 41 to 60, and 61 to 90 years of age. Overall, the average sensory discrimination was 2.30 ± 0.50 mm Hg. In subjects 20 to 40 years of age, sensory discrimination was 2.07 ± 0.20 mm Hg, while in subjects 61 to 90 years of age, sensory discrimination was 2.68 ± 0.63 mm Hg (p < .05). There also was a statistically significant difference between the 41- to 60-year and 61- to 90-year age groups (p < .05). Progressive diminution in pharyngeal and supraglottic sensitivity with increasing age might be a contributing factor in the development of dysphagia and aspiration in the elderly.

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-181
Author(s):  
Predrag Mandic ◽  
Snezana Lestarevic ◽  
Tatjana Filipovic ◽  
Natasa Djukic-Macut ◽  
Milena Saranovic

Background/Aim. Aging is one of the most complex biological processes which probably affect structure and function of the enteric nerve system. However, there is not much available information on this topic, particularly in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of aging on the structure of the myenteric ganglia in the anterior wall of the human proximal duodenum. Methods. We examined the myenteric ganglia in the proximal duodenal anterior wall specimens obtained from 30 cadaver persons aged from 20 to 84 years. Tissue samples were classified into three age groups: 20-44, 45-64 and 65-84 years. After standard histological preparation, specimens were stained with HE, Cresyl Violet and AgNO3. Morphometric analysis of all the specimens, using a multipurpose test system M42, was performed. The data were subjected to the ttest. Results. The myenteric ganglia of very old humans contains an empty space, i.e. the respective parts of ganglia show a decreased number of neuron as compared to younger population. The average number of neuron per cm2 of the duodenum in the youngest people (20-44 years) was 69,370 ? 1,750.00, in the people aged 45-64 years 69,211 ? 1,573.33, and in the oldest persons (65-84 years) 57,951 ? 1,291.52. The loss of neurons in the oldest persons was 16.46%. The applied statistic test demonstrated a significant difference between the observed groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusion. Aging does not induce changes in size and surface of neurons in the ganglia, but it decreases the number of neurons. The nerve structures in the elderly are partly emptied of bodies of nerve cells (?empty ganglions?), which indicates the existence of changed myenteric ganglia in the duodenum. These changes could be related to the duodenum motility disorder associated with aging.


1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (10) ◽  
pp. 777-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan E. Aviv ◽  
John H. Martin ◽  
Mark Debell ◽  
Monte S. Keen ◽  
Andrew Blitzer

There are no published studies evaluating the sensory capacity of the region innervated by the superior laryngeal nerve. A normal sensory capacity is important in this area, since hypesthesia or anesthesia of the pharynx and supraglottic larynx may result in dysphagia and aspiration. This often occurs after stroke or after ablative surgery of the pharynx and larynx. Evaluating the efficacy of restorative procedures for supraglottic and pharyngeal sensation is dependent on defining and quantifying the sensory deficit. We have developed a new, noninvasive method to measure sensation in the pharynx and supraglottic larynx. A puff of air—of precisely controlled duration and pressure—was delivered via a flexible telescope to the anterior wall of the pyriform sinus. Surface sensibility was determined according to the psychophysical method of limits by varying air pressure while holding puff duration constant. We conducted 204 trials in 20 healthy adults. The average sensory discrimination threshold was 2.09 ± 0.15 mm Hg. An intraclass correlation revealed excellent consistency (R̂ = .80). There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left sides. Brief air pulse stimulation is an easy, relatively safe, and reliable method of determining supraglottic and pharyngeal sensory discrimination thresholds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000668
Author(s):  
Andreas Fritsche ◽  
Helmut Anderten ◽  
Martin Pfohl ◽  
Stefan Pscherer ◽  
Anja Borck ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo identify real-world, age-related trends in the use of insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) as part of basal-supported oral therapy (BOT).Research design and methodsThe prospective, observational Titration and Optimization registry enrolled patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus initiated on Gla-100 BOT. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with capillary fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≤110 mg/dL on ≥2 occasions and/or who met their individual HbA1c target within 12 months.Results2462 patients were analyzed (<65 years: n=1122; 65–74 years: n=771; ≥75 years: n=569). Diabetes duration (6.8, 8.9, and 11.2 years, p<0.0001) and proportion of women (40.7%, 47.9%, and 55.7%, p<0.0001) increased with age. Baseline HbA1c was highest in <65-year-olds (8.6% vs 8.4% and 8.5%, p<0.0001). Gla-100 up-titration until 12 months was highest in <65-year-olds (+11.6 U/day), compared with 65–74 (+10.2 U/day) and ≥75 years (+8.8; p<0.0001) but similar by units per kilogram, as was the decrease in FBG (<65: −64.1 mg/dL; 65–74: −56.1 mg/dL; ≥75: −53.4 mg/dL) and HbA1c (<65: −1.47%; 65–74: −1.31%; ≥75: −1.22%, p<0.0001). At 12 months, 65.9% of participants met the primary endpoint, with no significant difference between age groups. The proportion achieving their individual HbA1c target was lower for <65-year-olds (46.0% vs 54.3% and 54.7%; p<0.02). Symptomatic hypoglycemia incidence was more common in the ≥75-year-old group (3.4% vs 1.4% and 1.4%; p=0.0126).ConclusionsBOT with Gla-100 results in similar improvements of glycemic values with low risk of hypoglycemia across age groups. Given the link between HbA1c and long-term cardiovascular risk, ensuring appropriately stringent target-setting, intensification of basal insulin and making sure hypoglycemia is avoided is of paramount importance.Trial registration numberDatabase:https://awbdb.bfarm.de; Identifier: 1641; Date of registration: September 23, 2013


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Babaei ◽  
Zahra Ghayoumi-Anaraki ◽  
Behrooz Mahmoodi-Bakhtiari

ABSTRACT The growth in the elderly population has posed a social, economic and health challenge for the twenty-first century. Objective: Aging is often characterized by changes in cognitive functions which affect the receptive and expressive capabilities of language. Since language plays a significant role in human life, we evaluate the existence of age-related differences in narrative and persuasive discourses. Methods: The narrative discourse of 91 adults and persuasive discourse of 92 adults,aged from 19 to 75 years and stratified into four age groups,were examined. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between coherence in the elderly group and each of the other three age groups for both types of discourse. There was also a significant difference for the cohesion variable between the elderly and the first age group for narrative discourse only. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that discourse is influenced by aging and type (genre) of discourse task. Therefore, it is essential for clinicians to take into account the linguistic needs of elderly and incorporate these into their clinical programs. Also, this finding can help clinicians to distinguish between discourses of normal aging and other neurologic disorders (for example dementia, right hemisphere damage, aphasia).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Valdez-Garcia ◽  
Gustavo Ortiz-Morales ◽  
Nallely Morales-Mancillas ◽  
Jorge Luis Domene-Hickman ◽  
Julio Hernandez-Camarena ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose: To assess the corneal endothelial morphometry in healthy elderly Hispanic eyes.Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational, descriptive, and analytical study was designed to assess by specular microscopy the central region of the corneal endothelium. In a 4-year period, a total of 75 eyes from 42 patients were studied. All eyes included were from patients 65 or older (mean: 73.87±6.86), without ocular disease or surgeries.Results: The mean cell density (MCD) was 2268±597.0 cells/mm2. 44% of patients had polymegethism, with an average coefficient of variation (CV) of 42.04 ± 10.1%. 76% of patients had low pleomorphism, with an average of 42.3 ± 8.9% hexagonal cells. The mean corneal thickness was 537±38.2 μm. There was no statistically significant difference between age groups for MCD, CV, hexagonality and pachymetry (p=>.05). 27% of patients had corneal guttata.Conclusion: This study suggests that the elderly Hispanic population has a high prevalence of polymegethism, pleomorphism and guttata. Surprisingly, the oldest age group (>85) had an above average MCD, low polymegethism and good pleomorphism.


Author(s):  
A. E. Chernikova ◽  
Yu. P. Potekhina

Introduction. An osteopathic examination determines the rate, the amplitude and the strength of the main rhythms (cardiac, respiratory and cranial). However, there are relatively few studies in the available literature dedicated to the influence of osteopathic correction (OC) on the characteristics of these rhythms.Goal of research — to study the influence of OC on the rate characteristics of various rhythms of the human body.Materials and methods. 88 adult osteopathic patients aged from 18 to 81 years were examined, among them 30 men and 58 women. All patients received general osteopathic examination. The rate of the cranial rhythm (RCR), respiratory rate (RR) heart rate (HR), the mobility of the nervous processes (MNP) and the connective tissue mobility (CTM) were assessed before and after the OC session.Results. Since age varied greatly in the examined group, a correlation analysis of age-related changes of the assessed rhythms was carried out. Only the CTM correlated with age (r=–0,28; p<0,05) in a statistically significant way. The rank dispersion analysis of Kruskal–Wallis also showed statistically significant difference in this indicator in different age groups (p=0,043). With the increase of years, the CTM decreases gradually. After the OC, the CTM, increased in a statistically significant way (p<0,0001). The RCR varied from 5 to 12 cycles/min in the examined group, which corresponded to the norm. After the OC, the RCR has increased in a statistically significant way (p<0,0001), the MNP has also increased (p<0,0001). The initial heart rate in the subjects varied from 56 to 94 beats/min, and in 15 % it exceeded the norm. After the OC the heart rate corresponded to the norm in all patients. The heart rate and the respiratory rate significantly decreased after the OC (р<0,0001).Conclusion. The described biorhythm changes after the OC session may be indicative of the improvement of the nervous regulation, of the normalization of the autonomic balance, of the improvement of the biomechanical properties of body tissues and of the increase of their mobility. The assessed parameters can be measured quickly without any additional equipment and can be used in order to study the results of the OC.


1983 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. Cotter ◽  
K. O'Malley

1. Neutrophils from drug-free elderly subjects produced approximately 50% less cyclic AMP in response to isoprenaline than did neutrophils from young subjects. A significant difference in basal cyclic AMP levels was also evident (elderly 2.8 ± 0.37; young 4.9 ± 0.36 pmol of cAMP/107 cells; P < 0.05). 2. With a range of anti-neutrophil monoclonal antibodies no evidence of age-related neutrophil population heterogeneity was found. 3. These findings indicate that the age-related decline in β-adrenoceptor responsiveness is not due to changes in the neutrophil population. 4. The present results support the hypothesis that there is a generalized decline in β-adrenoceptor-mediated responsiveness in the elderly.


2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1852-1860 ◽  
Author(s):  
William R Garnett

OBJECTIVE To review and evaluate the medical literature concerning antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy in elderly patients. DATA SOURCES A MEDLINE search (1982–December 2004) was conducted. Bibliographies of the articles identified were also reviewed, and an Internet search engine was used to identify additional pertinent references. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Clinical studies and reviews were evaluated, and relevant information was included. DATA SYNTHESIS The elderly have the highest incidence of seizures among all age groups. Complex partial seizures are the most common, followed by primary generalized tonic–clonic seizures. An accurate diagnosis may prove difficult because of a low suspicion of epilepsy in the elderly and other diseases that may mimic seizures. Most AEDs are approved for treatment of elderly patients who have partial and tonic–clonic seizures. However, a number of age-related variables should be addressed when selecting an appropriate AED. Age-dependent differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of AEDs must be taken into account. Drug–drug interactions must be considered since elderly people often take multiple medications. The ultimate factor that often determines AED selection is tolerability. CONCLUSIONS Numerous factors must be considered in treating elderly patients for seizures, but maximizing the ability of patients to tolerate drug therapy is often the basis for AED selection. Special consideration should be made along several lines, including elderly patients’ cognitive functioning and their tendency to respond to lower AED concentrations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Vijit Deepani ◽  
A.K Kapoor ◽  
Monika Saini

Background: Handwriting is a uniquely human trait which progresses and evolves during lifetime and declines with age. The aim of the present paper is to assess variation in handwriting features with age among female writers of select population groups of Delhi, India (for roman script). Method: A total of 405 handwritten samples were obtained from female (n=405) writers in the age range of 14-60 years. Writers were stratified into three age groups (≤ 18 years, 19-38 years and ≥39 years) in accordance to population group. Macro- and micro-features of handwriting were extracted from the scanned handwritten samples. These features were subjected to statistical analysis in the objective driven research. Result: The mean difference among age groups for pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Significant difference was also observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study, namely, nature of ‘i’ – dot (p < 0.001), nature of lower loop of ‘g’ (p < 0.01); nature of‘d’- stem (p < 0.01), nature of ‘m’-hump (p < 0.05) and ‘r’- shape (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed that there was a significant variation in both macro- and micro- features of handwriting with respect to age of the writer. Pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity were prominent macro-features that addressed age related variation in handwriting. In addition, significant variation was observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study. The present study has immense forensic significance as it can assist to analyze age of the writer on the basis of handwriting characteristics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. 827-832
Author(s):  
Olga S. Aminova ◽  
N. N. Tyatenkova ◽  
Yu. E. Uvarova ◽  
S. V. Yakovlev

Introduction. Health - is a complex and at the same integral multivariable dynamic state, developing in the process of realization of the genetic potential in a particular social and ecological environment, which permits a person to carry out its biological and social functions. Material and methods Health indices deteriorate with age. In this situation, special attention should be paid to older age groups. However, recent studies prefer to investigate young people. Data about health status of different age groups is not well investigated. Survey of 415 women aged 20 to 59 years residing on Yaroslavl region has been performed. Evaluation of age-related changes in health indices included questionnaire, morphological and functional examination, definition of physical development and adaptative potential according to the calculated indices and reference values. Results. The study examined the dynamics of health indices and established a statistically significant difference in the gain in body weight, blood pressure, total blood cholesterol, decreased lung capacity relative to body mass and adaptive capacity of the cardiovascular system with the age. Analysis of the incidence showed that chronic diseases incidence has increased from 56% in the 20-29 years group to 88% among 50-59 years old persons. Diseases of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system (48-49%) become predominant pathology with age. Evaluation of lifestyle shows that poor physical activity and sleep disorders were registered in 77% and 32% respectively regardless of age. Eating disorders were registered in 41% patients aged of 20-29 years. Ratio tobacco users decreased from 23% to 10% with age, while the number of cigarettes smoked per day was increased. Сonclusion. The study established the negative dynamics of health indices to be typical for women aged 20-59 years, while the rate of deterioration exceeds the average one in the Russian population. Self-preservation behavior is not predominant in all age groups, it is typical only for 3% of young women and 11-15% of other groups.


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