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Sensory perception and aging in model systems: from the outside in
Nancy J Linford1, Tsung-Han Kuo, Tammy P Chan
1Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA. linford@umich.edu
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
|July 16, 2011
Summary
Sensory systems impact how organisms interact with their environment and influence lifespan. Studying sensory perception in simple models can reveal new aging mechanisms applicable to mammals, promoting healthy aging.
Area of Science:
- Neurobiology
- Gerontology
- Sensory Systems
Background:
- Organisms utilize diverse sensory systems to perceive internal and external cues.
- Sensory processing is fundamental to behavioral decision-making in all animals.
- Emerging research links sensory system function to organismal lifespan regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the connection between sensory perception and aging.
- To evaluate how sensory processing modulates lifespan across different species.
- To investigate the potential of simple model systems for aging research.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advances in neurobiology and sensory systems research.
- Analysis of studies linking sensory manipulation to lifespan changes.
- Comparative evaluation of sensory processing across taxa.
Main Results:
- Direct links between sensory perception and aging are increasingly evident.
- Sensory experiences can significantly alter organismal lifespan.
- Neurobiological insights from simple models offer broad applicability.
Conclusions:
- Sensory systems play a crucial role in modulating lifespan.
- Studying sensory neurobiology in model organisms can illuminate aging processes.
- This research opens new avenues for understanding and promoting healthy aging.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System
The somatosensory system is the central and peripheral nervous system component that senses and processes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and body position or proprioception. The process of sensation takes place at three levels:
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...
01:28Perception
Perception is a fundamental psychological process that enables individuals to organize, interpret, and consciously experience sensory information. This process is crucial for understanding and interacting with the world around us. It includes both bottom-up and top-down processing, each playing a distinct role in how we perceive our environment.
Bottom-up processing begins at the sensory level, where receptors detect external environmental stimuli. These could include the tactile sensation of...
Bottom-up processing begins at the sensory level, where receptors detect external environmental stimuli. These could include the tactile sensation of...
01:31What is a Sensory System?
Sensory systems detect stimuli—such as light and sound waves—and transduce them into neural signals that can be interpreted by the nervous system. In addition to external stimuli detected by the senses, some sensory systems detect internal stimuli—such as the proprioceptors in muscles and tendons that send feedback about limb position.
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:26Introduction to Special Senses
Sensory receptors play an integral part in comprehending our external and internal environments. They receive diverse stimuli, converting them into the nervous system's electrochemical signals. This conversion occurs as the stimulus alters the sensory neuron's cell membrane potential, instigating the generation of an action potential. This action potential is subsequently transmitted to the central nervous system (CNS), which integrates with other sensory data or higher cognitive functions.
01:29Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways
Somatic sensory or somatosensory pathways refer to the neural pathways that carry information related to touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints to the brain. These pathways involve several stages of processing and integration of sensory information.
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...