title: Age-related changes in the neurologic examination of healthy sexagenarians, octogenarians, and centenarians.
abstract: Although numerous studies have focused on age-related changes in the nervous system, few have systematically assessed global neurologic examination changes, and even fewer have included the most elderly population, ie, the centenarians. To perform such a study, we developed a quantitative assessment that includes the major components of a standard bedside neurologic evaluation, with special emphasis on cognitive function. First, we demonstrated that the quantitated examination could correctly classify healthy controls and patients with stroke or dementia based on discriminant analysis. This examination was then applied to healthy community-dwelling elderly ranging from 60 to 108 years of age. Significant age-related neurobehavioral changes were apparent across even these most "successfully" aged groups. Analysis of the full pattern of cognitive and neurologic findings provided the most accurate assessment. Pathologic reflexes, reportedly associated with normal aging, occurred infrequently in this healthy geriatric population, suggesting that age-related changes in the neurologic examination may be more accurately interpreted when assessed in conjunction with cognitive status. This quantitative examination may be useful in future population-based studies of neurologic function in the aged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-3200.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Meador
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Loring
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011603:Psychophysiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology