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Aging attenuates the vestibulorespiratory reflex in humans
Nathan T Kuipers1, Charity L Sauder, Chester A Ray
1Department of Medicine (Cardiology), General Clinical Research Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
The Journal of Physiology
|March 11, 2003
Summary
Aging attenuates the vestibulorespiratory reflex. Older adults require greater vestibular stimulation to alter breathing frequency compared to younger individuals, indicating a diminished reflex response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Respiratory Physiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The vestibular system influences human ventilation.
- Aging is known to attenuate other vestibular reflexes, such as the vestibulosympathetic reflex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if aging alters the vestibulorespiratory reflex in humans.
- To test the hypothesis that aging attenuates the vestibulorespiratory reflex.
Main Methods:
- Measured changes in ventilation during semicircular canal and otolith organ engagement in young and older adults.
- Utilized dynamic head rotations (pitch and roll) and static head-down positions for vestibular stimulation.
Main Results:
- Young subjects showed increased breathing frequency with vestibular stimulation during dynamic pitch and roll.
- Older subjects exhibited significantly reduced changes in breathing frequency, primarily at higher stimulation frequencies.
- Yaw rotation (semicircular canals) increased ventilation in young but not older adults.
Conclusions:
- The vestibulorespiratory reflex is attenuated in older humans.
- Older individuals require more intense vestibular input to elicit changes in breathing frequency.