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Morphological and biochemical changes in peripheral nerves with aging
H Drac1, M Babiuch, W Wiśniewska
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Warsaw.
Neuropatologia Polska
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Aging increases morphological changes in the ulnar nerve, with up to 35% of fibers affected in older adults. Despite age-related nerve fiber loss, the ulnar nerve retains its capacity for repair.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Pathology
Background:
- The aging process can affect peripheral nerves, potentially leading to functional decline.
- Understanding age-related changes in nerve morphology is crucial for diagnosing and managing neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological and biochemical changes in the human ulnar nerve with advancing age.
- To assess the nerve's capacity for repair across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy examination of ulnar nerves from 30 subjects (aged 24-98).
- Morphological analysis including myelinated fiber density, diameter distribution, and teased fiber assessment.
- Biochemical analysis of lipids in a subset of nerves.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in morphological nerve fiber changes with age, from 7-10% in adults to 35% in aged subjects.
- Age-related loss of myelinated fibers was observed in older individuals.
- Unspecific changes like axonal degeneration and segmental demyelination were noted across all ages.
- The ulnar nerve demonstrated a consistent ability to repair fiber damage regardless of subject age.
Conclusions:
- Aging is associated with increased unspecific morphological changes in the ulnar nerve.
- While neuronal aging contributes to nerve changes, the ulnar nerve maintains a notable capacity for repair.
- Biochemical changes are less pronounced than morphological alterations with aging.