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Arousal response with aging: Pupillographic study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2000

MANHO KIM ,
DAVID Q. BEVERSDORF  and
KENNETH M. HEILMAN
MANHO KIM
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, and the Neurology Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
DAVID Q. BEVERSDORF
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, and the Neurology Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
KENNETH M. HEILMAN
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, and the Neurology Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Abstract

The performance of cognitive behaviors requires an activated, aroused cerebral cortex. Although studies have shown that there are decrements of cognitive functions in the elderly, changes in arousal with aging have not been fully studied. Our objective was to learn if there are attention–arousal changes associated with aging. Visual stimuli were presented to induce orienting responses or arousal reactions. Because changes in pupil size reflect changes in arousal, we recorded and compared pupillary responses of young and older normal participants using infared pupillography. During the 1 s that we recorded pupillary changes, we found major phases: a brief initial constriction (C1), then a maximal dilation (D1)—an arousal response, followed by constriction (C2), a habituation response. Although amplitude of these 3 phases was not different between the 2 groups, the interval between the D1 and C2 response was prolonged in the older group. Although the arousal response is not dramatically altered with aging, habituation appears to be delayed. (JINS, 2000, 6, 348–350.)

Keywords

AttentionArousalHabituationAgingPupil
Type
BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 6 , Issue 3 , March 2000 , pp. 348 - 350
Copyright
© 2000 The International Neuropsychological Society

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