Pupillometric evaluation and analysis of light reflex in healthy subjects as a tool to study autonomic nervous system changes with aging.
To assess the relationships between aging and autonomic control of pupillary functions, TV-pupillometry and light reflex evaluation were performed in 52 healthy volunteers in the age range 15-75 years, grouped into four age classes (group 1: 15-29 years, Group 2: 30-44 years, Group 3: 45-59 years, Group 4: 60-75 years). Baseline light pupil diameter was found to be age-dependent, together with light reflex contraction velocity, which presented a linear correlation with age. Light reflex amplitude and half-redilatation velocity were reduced in older subjects, but presented only a weak linear correlation with age, while latency, contraction time and half-redilatation time percent of secondary dilatation and redilatation at 5 seconds did not show significant changes with age. These results confirm that there are important age-dependent changes in the mechanisms involved in pupillary autonomic functions, regarding both sympathetic and parasympathetic components. These changes appear to be easily detectable by making use of a sensitive and non-invasive technique such as TV-pupillometry.
Pozzessere
G
G
I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Mediterraneo di Neuroscienze, Isernia, Italy.
Valle
E
E
Rossi
P
P
Petrucci
B
B
Ambrosini
A
A
D'Alessio
M
M
Pierelli
F
F
Giacomini
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex