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Age correlation in the bulbo-cavernosus reflex
V Gallai1, G Mazzotta, C Firenze
1Department of Neurology, University of Perugia, Italy.
Abstract:
A study was conducted in 120 normal male subjects (age range 15-20 years) by testing the bulbo-cavernosus reflex (BCR). The mean latency +/- SD of the reflex was 32.9 +/- 0.7 ms. BCR latency values reported in subjects grouped according to age (15-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70) did not vary significantly for individuals between the ages of 15 and 50; whereas, the latency values for the older age groups (5th and 6th groups), were statistically significant. In conclusion, the authors attribute the increased latency associated with age to changes which occur in the fibres of the nerve pathways and emphasize the importance of collecting normative data according to age groups.