Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
08:25
Immunolabeling and Counting Ribbon Synapses in Young Adult and Aged Gerbil Cochleae
Published on: April 21, 2022
2.2K
[Age-related changes of sensory system]
Toshihiko Iwamoto1, Haruo Hanyu, Takahiko Umahara
1Department of Geriatric Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Shioya Hospital.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|November 23, 2013
Summary
Aging affects all senses, including sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Sensory decline can significantly impact daily life and overall well-being in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Physiology
Context:
- Physiological aging affects multiple sensory systems.
- Pathological processes often exacerbate age-related sensory decline.
- Sensory system changes are integral to the aging process.
Purpose:
- To review age-related changes across visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, and somatosensory functions.
- To highlight the link between sensory impairment and neurodegenerative diseases.
- To discuss the impact of sensory decline on elderly quality of life.
Summary:
- Age-related sensory changes include presbyopia, cataracts, and hearing loss (presbyacusis).
- Reduced smell is associated with normal aging and prominent in early Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
- Decreased taste sensitivity, vibration, and proprioception are common, affecting daily activities.
Impact:
- Impaired sensory function can lead to a reduced quality of life in the elderly.
- Early detection of sensory changes may aid in identifying neurodegenerative conditions.
- Understanding sensory system aging is crucial for geriatric care and maintaining independence.
Related Concept Videos
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
3.6K
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...
3.6K
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
868
As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...
868
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
376
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
376
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
8.5K
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
8.5K
00:50Unrenewable Cells
2.1K
In humans, the photoreceptor cells of the eye and sensory hair cells of the ear lack stem cells. These cells are thus unrenewable and cannot be replaced when they are damaged or destroyed.
Photoreceptors
The retina is composed of several layers and contains specialized cells called photoreceptors. The photoreceptors (rods and cones) change their membrane potential when stimulated by light energy. There are two types of photoreceptors—rods and cones—which differ in the shape of...
Photoreceptors
The retina is composed of several layers and contains specialized cells called photoreceptors. The photoreceptors (rods and cones) change their membrane potential when stimulated by light energy. There are two types of photoreceptors—rods and cones—which differ in the shape of...
2.1K
01:31What is a Sensory System?
89.7K
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.
89.7K