title: Age-associated abnormalities of water homeostasis.
abstract: Findley first proposed the presence of age-related dysfunction of the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal-renal axis more than 60 years ago. More sophisticated studies have since corroborated his findings. As a result, it is now clear that multiple abnormalities in water homeostasis occur commonly with aging, and that the elderly are uniquely susceptible to disorders of body volume and osmolality. This article summarizes the distinct points along the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal-renal axis where these changes have been characterized, as well as the clinical significance of these changes, with special attention to effects on cognition, gait instability, osteoporosis, fractures, and morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Cowen
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hodak
authors.forename: Joseph G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Verbalis
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007177:Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007671:Kidney Concentrating Ability; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012306:Risk; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D001127:Arginine Vasopressin