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Published on: March 23, 2011
Calcium increase in the mammillary bodies with aging
Patipath Suwannahoy1, Setsuko Tohno, Pasuk Mahakkanukrauh
1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
Biological Trace Element Research
|August 12, 2009
Summary
Aging slightly increases calcium in the mammillary body, a key brain structure. Other element levels remained stable, with no significant gender differences observed in this aging study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
Background:
- The mammillary body's role in memory and aging is not fully understood.
- Investigating age-related changes in brain element composition is crucial for understanding neurodegeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine age-related changes in elemental composition of the human mammillary body.
- To explore relationships among elements within the mammillary body.
- To identify potential gender-based differences in mammillary body elemental content.
Main Methods:
- Direct chemical analysis of resected human mammillary bodies from elderly subjects (70-101 years).
- Elemental content determination using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry after acid digestion.
- Statistical analysis to assess age and gender effects and element correlations.
Main Results:
- A slight but significant increase in calcium (Ca) content was observed with aging.
- Phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and sodium (Na) levels showed no significant age-related changes.
- Significant correlations were found between Ca, P, S, and Mg content, except between P and Mg.
- No significant gender differences were detected in the analyzed elemental contents.
Conclusions:
- Mammillary body composition exhibits subtle age-related alterations, primarily an increase in calcium.
- Elemental interrelationships within the mammillary body suggest complex biochemical interactions.
- The absence of significant gender differences indicates a common aging pattern for these elements in the mammillary body.
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