Journal article
Healthy aging affects cerebrovascular reactivity and pressure-flow responses, but not neurovascular coupling: A cross-sectional study
PLoS One, Vol.14(5), e0217082
2019
PMCID: PMC6522028
PMID: 31095646
Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection
Abstract
Background and purpose: Aging leads to alterations in cerebrovascular function, and these are thought to contribute to cognitive decline/dementia. Disturbances to cerebral blood flow regulation have been reported, but the findings are inconsistent and to date no study has comprehensively tested the collective and independent contribution of these parameters in the same age range. Such lines of enquiry are vital since aging is a heterogeneous and complex process, with cerebrovascular parameters being differentially affected depending on the individual. A multicomponent comprehensive measure of cerebrovascular function, which accounts for such diversity, is needed to differentiate between healthy young and old adults. Methods: We tested the effect of aging on cerebrovascular function by comparing healthy young adults aged 18-30 and older adults aged 60-75, without cognitive impairments. Cerebrovascular blood flow velocity was assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Parameters included resting middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv), neurovascular coupling, cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 (hypercapnia and hypocapnia), and the pressure-flow response during a sit-to-stand procedure. Results: MANOVA revealed that collectively, the parameters discriminated the groups (p < .001). MCAv and pressure-flow responses were lower in the older group (p < .001). While there were no differences in hypercapnic responses (p = .908) and neurovascular coupling (p = .517), hypocapnic responses were elevated in the old (p = .002). Conclusions: Collectively, cerebrovascular parameters can distinguish between healthy young and older adults, with aging leading to reductions in MCAv, and altering cerebrovascular reactivity and pressure-flow responses under hypotensive conditions.
Details
- Title
- Healthy aging affects cerebrovascular reactivity and pressure-flow responses, but not neurovascular coupling: A cross-sectional study
- Authors
- Kayla B Stefanidis (Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastChristopher D Askew (Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastTimo Klein (Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastJim Lagopoulos (Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastMathew J Summers (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- PLoS One, Vol.14(5), e0217082; 9
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Date published
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0217082
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
- PMID
- 31095646; PMC6522028
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2019 Stefanidis et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Organisation Unit
- Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Health; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; Thompson Institute; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Law and Society; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451483502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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