Functional changes of the peripheral nervous system with aging in the mouse

doi:10.1016/0197-4580(95)02010-1

Neurobiology of Aging

Volume 17, Issue 1, January–February 1996, Pages 73-77

https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-4580(95)02010-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

The influence of aging on peripheral nerve and target organ function was investigated in six groups of mice aged 2, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. Sudomotor, motor, and sensory functions mediated by the sciatic nerve were evaluated by silicone imprints, electrophysiological recordings and pinprick test from the distal hindpaw. Nerve conduction was also studied in the caudal nerves. The results showed that the number of sweat glands reactive to pilocarpine does not change significantly with aging, but the size of the sweat droplets is smaller in aged mice than in young mice. The amplitude of muscle and nerve action potentials evoked by stimulation of sciatic and caudal nerves decreased progressively from 2 to 24 months, while the latencies decreased from 2 to 6 months, remained unchanged until 12 months and increased thereafter. All the animals of the six groups studied showed positive, indistinguishable responses to pinprick. These results indicate that neurophysiological responses mediated by large diameter nerve fibers deteriorated with age, while those dependent of small fibers were preserved.

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ArticleFunctional changes of the peripheral nervous system with aging in the mouse

Abstract

Neurodegeneration in sweat glands and skin of aged rats

J. Auton. Nerv. Syst.

Segmental demyelination in peripheral nerves of old cats

Neurobiol. Aging

Effect of age on heat-activated sweat gland density and flow during exercise in dry heat

J. Appl. Physiol.

Muscle morphology, enzyme activity and muscle strength in elderly men and women

Clin. Physiol.

Age changes in conduction velocity, refractory period, number of fibers, connective tissue space and blood vessels in sciatic nerve of rats

J. Comp. Neurol.

Slowing of the rate of axonal regeneration during growth and maturation

Exp. Neurol.

Clinical and electrophysiological study of the peripheral nervous system in the elderly

J. Neurol.

An assessment of the spread of the signal for terminal sprouting within and between muscles

Brain Res.

Sensory potentials of normal and diseased nerves

Thermal pain. A sensation decision theory analysis of the effect of age and sex on various response criteria and 50% pain threshold

J. Abnorm. Psychol.

The need for multiple time points in aging studies

Neurobiol. Aging

Age-dependent changes in cat masseter nerve: An electrophysiological and morphological study

Brain Res.

Two modes of cutaneous reinnervation following peripheral nerve injury

J. Comp. Neurol.

Age-related changes in peripheral and central nerve conduction in man

Neurology

Sensory action potential of the median and ulnar nerves in aged persons

Detection thresholds of cutaneous sensation in humans

Effect of partial denervation on motor units in the ageing rat medial gastrocnemius

J. Neurol. Sci.

Sweat responses in the aged

Age Ageing

The quadriceps strength of healthy elderly people remeasured after eight years

Muscle Nerve

Qualitative and quantitative morphology of human sural nerve at different ages

Brain

Reduced sensitivity of penile mechanoreceptors in aging rats with sexual dysfunction

Brain Res. Bull.

Sympathetic sudomotor function in diabetic neuropathy

Arch. Neurol.

Reinnervation of sweat glands in the mouse: Axonal regeneration vs. collateral sprouting

Muscle Nerve

Rodent eccrine sweat glands. A case of multiple efferent innervation

Neuroscience

Quantitation of the sweating deficiency in diabetes mellitus

Ann. Neurol.

Collateral reinnervation of sweat glands

Ann. Neurol.

Methylcholine-activated eccrine sweat gland density and output as a function of age

J. Appl. Physiol.

Somesthetic sensitivity in young and elderly humans

J. Gerontol.

Article
Functional changes of the peripheral nervous system with aging in the mouse