Aging neuromuscular Flashcards
CNS changes with aging
Decreased gray (neuron loss ) and white (myelin loss) matter
Nerve cell shrinking
delayed pulse conduction and conduction velocity
Reduction and altered balance of neurotransmitters
Decreased size of cerebellar hemispheres
Decreased hair cells and receptor ganglion cells
Decreased cerebral blood flow
Decreased glucose metabolism
functional implications with CNS changes
Delayed recall
rote memory decreases
altered gait, balance, and fine motor control
Diminished motor learning
Decreased activity level
PNS motor changes with aging
Axonal degeneration
Greater internodal length
slower conduction velocity
Decreased ability to adapt to environment or visceral changes
Decreased neurons per muscle fiber
Decrease in ruffinis pacinian and Golgi tendon like receptors
Increased sympathetic activity
decreased cerebral blood flow
functional implications with PNS changes
Increase recruitment of motor units more work required to do a task
Increased co contraction at the ankle
Altered motor control, and postural stability
Decreased LE proprioception, vibration, discriminative touch and balance
increased risk of falls
Resting blood pressure rises with age
Delayed responses to pain
PNS sensory innervation changes with aging
Decreased number and density of myelinated, peripheral nerve fibers
Decreased thickness of remaining fibers
Decreased nerve conduction velocity and action potentials
Increased H-reflex latency
vision changes PNS
decrease in third decade
Neuron loss in visual cortex
presbyopia-decreased flexibility of lens to accommodate from far to near
Decreased ->
elasticity of the lens
recovery from glare
Tear production
Acuity
Visual fields
cataracts
World appears as of seeing through dusty or cloudy lens
Readily amendable to treatment usually on an outpatient basis
age related macular degeneration
Central field vision is impaired
Affecting reading and other fine detail work
glaucoma
Loss of peripheral vision, usually gradually
May lead to tunnel vision or total blindness
Diabetic retinopathy
person with diabetes and has blind spots or scotoma
Visual skills may fluctuate
May be associated with depressed mood
Presbycusis
hearing declines with age
Men especially lose hearing for higher frequencies
