title: Pathophysiology of the anorexia of aging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anorexia represents a major problem for older persons leading to weight loss, sarcopenia, functional decline, and mortality. There is increasing information on the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to anorexia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increasing evidence has shown the importance of gastrointestinal hormones (ghrelin, cholecystokinin, and glucagon-like peptide) and adipokines in producing the anorexia of aging. Numerous neurotransmitters have been shown to be involved in this aging anorexia, but evidence in humans is lacking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The early recognition of anorexia of aging is important to allow intervention and prevent functional deterioration in older persons. Screening tests for anorexia have been developed. New approaches to managing anorexia are being tested.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63104, USA. morley@slu.edu
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Morley
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000855:Anorexia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D003863:Depression; D058620:Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000097:blood; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012527:Satiation / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents