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Alrosan AZ, Heilat GB, Alrosan K, Aleikish AA, Rabbaa AN, Shakhatreh AM, Alshalout EM, Al Momany EM. Autonomic brain functioning and age-related health concerns. Curr Res Physiol 2024; 7:100123. [PMID: 38510918 PMCID: PMC10950753 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2024.100123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary bodily functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and digestion, in addition to controlling motivation and behavior. In older adults, the ANS is dysregulated, which changes the ability of the ANS to respond to physiological signals, regulate cardiovascular autonomic functionality, diminish gastric motility, and exacerbate sleep problems. For example, a decrease in heart rate variability, or the variation in the interval between heartbeats, is one of the most well-known alterations in the ANS associated with health issues, including cardiovascular diseases and cognitive decline. The inability to perform fundamental activities of daily living and compromising the physiological reactivity or motivational responses of older adults to moving toward or away from specific environmental stimuli are significant negative consequences of chronic and geriatric conditions that pose grave threats to autonomy, health, and well-being. The most updated research has investigated the associations between the action responsiveness of older adults and the maintenance of their physiological and physical health or the development of mental and physical health problems. Once autonomic dysfunction may significantly influence the development of different age-related diseases, including ischemic stroke, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases, this review aimed to assess the relationship between aging and autonomic functions. The review explored how motivational responses, physiological reactivity, cognitive processes, and lifelong developmental changes associated with aging impact the ANS and contribute to the emergence of health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Z. Alrosan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Ghaith B. Heilat
- Department of General Surgery and Urology, Faculty of Medicine, The Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Khaled Alrosan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Abrar A. Aleikish
- Master of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, The Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Aya N. Rabbaa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Aseel M. Shakhatreh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Ehab M. Alshalout
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Enaam M.A. Al Momany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
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