title: Anorexia and aging: pathophysiology.
abstract: Aging results in a dysregulation of the ability to regulate food intake. In general, this presents as a decrease in food intake accompanied by early satiation. The early satiation appears to be predominantly due to a decrease in adaptive relaxation of the fundus of the stomach resulting in early antral filling. Increased levels and effectiveness of cholecystokinin also play a role in the anorexia of aging. Leptin levels increase with aging in males but not in females. With regard to the central feeding drive, both the opioid and neuropeptide Y effects appear to decline with age. This physiologic anorexia of aging increases the risk for older persons to develop severe anorexia and weight loss when disease occurs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric Medicine, St. Louis University Medical School, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000855:Anorexia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D012527:Satiation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011506:Proteins