Abstract
We hypothesized that age-related changes in sensory function might be reflected by a modulation of the blood flow response associated with tactile sensation. The aim of the present study was to clarify how the blood flow response of the fingers during concentrated finger perception is affected by aging. We measured the tactile-pressure threshold of the distal palmar pad of the index finger and skin blood flow in the finger (SBF) during Braille reading performed under blind conditions in young (n = 27) and older (n = 37) subjects. As a result, the tactile-pressure threshold was higher in older subjects (2.99 ± 0.37 log10 0.1 mg) than in young subjects (2.76 ± 0.24 log10 0.1 mg) (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the SBF response was markedly smaller in older subjects (−4.9 ± 7.0%) than in young subjects (−25.8 ± 15.4%) (p < 0.01). Moreover, the peak response arrival times to Braille reading in older and young subjects were 12.5 ± 3.1 s and 8.8 ± 3.6 s, respectively (p < 0.01). A decline in tactile sensitivity occurs with aging. Blood flow responses associated with tactile sensation are also affected by aging, as represented by a decrease in blood flow and a delay in the reaction time.
Highlights
Age-related sensory impairment is slow and gradual progress that affects the main sensory modalities and somatosensory functions, including tactile sensitivity
The glabrous skin areas of the hand are rich in arteriovenous anastomoses, which causes large fluctuations in skin blood flow (SBF) in these areas
We recently reported that blood flow in the hand was reduced via sympathetic nerve activity during a Braille character discrimination task [10,11]
Summary
Age-related sensory impairment is slow and gradual progress that affects the main sensory modalities (vision, hearing, taste, and smell) and somatosensory functions, including tactile sensitivity. Macefield and Elam [12,13] demonstrated that the firing of tactile afferents in the human finger pads was associated with arterial pulsation within the finger. These findings suggested that the regulation of blood flow to the fingers plays an important role in sensory mechanisms. Age-related changes in tactile sensibility may be reflected by the modulation of the blood flow response to concentrated finger perception To examine this hypothesis, we measured the response of finger SBF during a Braille character discrimination task in older and young subjects and compared responses to the task between the two age groups
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