The influence of aging on the human sympathetic nervous system and brain norepinephrine turnover
Why the study?
Does aging increase brain norepinephrine turnover and sympathetic nervous system activity in healthy men?
Population
38 healthy men, comprising 22 younger men (aged 20-30 years) and 16 older men (aged 60-75 years).
Comparison
Older age (60-75 years) vs Younger age (20-30 years)
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Increased suprabulbar norepinephrine turnover may underlie age-related sympathetic activation; cross-sectional data leave open causal cardiovascular links.
Key Points
- To determine the impact of aging on human brain norepinephrine turnover and evaluate whether central noradrenergic mechanisms drive age-related sympathetic nervous stimulation.
- Evaluated 22 healthy young men (aged 20–30 yr) and 16 healthy older men (aged 60–75 yr).
- Measured internal jugular venous overflow of norepinephrine and lipophilic metabolites, coupled with plasma catecholamine isotope dilution and regional central venous sampling to assess sympathetic and adrenal medullary activity.
- Norepinephrine turnover in suprabulbar subcortical brain regions was significantly higher in older men compared with younger men (317 ± 50 ng/min vs. 107 ± 18 ng/min).
- Older men demonstrated differentiated sympathetic activation, with both cardiac and hepatomesenteric norepinephrine spillover directly correlating with subcortical norepinephrine turnover.
Structured PICO
Does aging increase brain norepinephrine turnover and sympathetic nervous system activity in healthy men?
P
Population
38 healthy men, comprising 22 younger men (aged 20-30 years) and 16 older men (aged 60-75 years).
I
Intervention
Older age (60-75 years)
C
Comparator
Younger age (20-30 years)
O
Outcome
Brain norepinephrine turnover in suprabulbar subcortical brain regionssurrogate
Aging is associated with increased sympathetic nervous activation and elevated norepinephrine turnover in suprabulbar subcortical brain regions, suggesting a central mechanism for age-related sympathetic overactivity.
Cite This Study
Esler et al. (2002) studied this question.