PURPOSE: To determine whether retinal branch arteries of healthy persons in different age groups show different longitudinal vessel profiles at baseline and during dynamic reaction to flicker stimulation. METHODS: Thirty-three healthy subjects (age groups: 21-27 years, 40-59 years, and 60-85 years) were examined with the use of a retinal vessel analyzer. A monochromatic flicker of 12.5 Hz was applied for 60 seconds. Arterial diameters were measured in vessel segments of 1 mm in length to obtain the longitudinal vessel profile. Differences in amplitude and frequency of arterial width changes were characterized by the parameter spectral edge frequency (SEF). RESULTS: SEF was significantly different between the young group and the senior group in each phase of the arterial reaction to flicker (baseline, dilation, constriction, relaxation; P < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). No significant difference within any age group was found in any phase of the arterial reaction. No significant difference between the middle-aged and either young or elderly subjects was found at baseline. However, after stimulation, the middle-aged group displayed a significant difference compared with the young group, with values resembling those of the elderly group. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy elderly subjects, retinal arteries assumed a significantly less regular longitudinal vessel profile than those of young subjects. Middle-aged subjects assumed a more irregular profile only in the stimulated states of dilation, constriction, and relaxation. Early age-related changes in vessel profile are noted only after metabolic demand. These changes might be a cause for impaired blood flow and blood-vessel wall interaction.
PURPOSE: To determine whether retinal branch arteries of healthy persons in different age groups show different longitudinal vessel profiles at baseline and during dynamic reaction to flicker stimulation. METHODS: Thirty-three healthy subjects (age groups: 21-27 years, 40-59 years, and 60-85 years) were examined with the use of a retinal vessel analyzer. A monochromatic flicker of 12.5 Hz was applied for 60 seconds. Arterial diameters were measured in vessel segments of 1 mm in length to obtain the longitudinal vessel profile. Differences in amplitude and frequency of arterial width changes were characterized by the parameter spectral edge frequency (SEF). RESULTS: SEF was significantly different between the young group and the senior group in each phase of the arterial reaction to flicker (baseline, dilation, constriction, relaxation; P < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). No significant difference within any age group was found in any phase of the arterial reaction. No significant difference between the middle-aged and either young or elderly subjects was found at baseline. However, after stimulation, the middle-aged group displayed a significant difference compared with the young group, with values resembling those of the elderly group. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy elderly subjects, retinal arteries assumed a significantly less regular longitudinal vessel profile than those of young subjects. Middle-aged subjects assumed a more irregular profile only in the stimulated states of dilation, constriction, and relaxation. Early age-related changes in vessel profile are noted only after metabolic demand. These changes might be a cause for impaired blood flow and blood-vessel wall interaction.
Authors: Alaina M Reagan; Xiaowu Gu; Sijalu Paudel; Nicole M Ashpole; Michelle Zalles; William E Sonntag; Zoltan Ungvari; Anna Csiszar; Laura Otalora; Willard M Freeman; Michael B Stout; Michael H Elliott Journal: Neurobiol Aging Date: 2018-07-10 Impact factor: 4.673
Authors: Stephan Kremmer; Gerasimos Anastassiou; Maurice Schallenberg; Klaus-Peter Steuhl; Vilser W; Michael Selbach J Journal: Open Ophthalmol J Date: 2014-06-13
Authors: Josef Flammer; Katarzyna Konieczka; Rosa M Bruno; Agostino Virdis; Andreas J Flammer; Stefano Taddei Journal: Eur Heart J Date: 2013-02-10 Impact factor: 29.983
Authors: Christopher G Owen; Alicja R Rudnicka; Roshan A Welikala; M Moazam Fraz; Sarah A Barman; Robert Luben; Shabina A Hayat; Kay-Tee Khaw; David P Strachan; Peter H Whincup; Paul J Foster Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2018-08-01 Impact factor: 12.079