Somatosensory function in old age

Abstract

Sensory decline is viewed as an inevitable consequence of the aging process. However, reports of declines have not been a consistent finding across the sensory systems. Reports from psychophysical studies indicate that the most common declines with aging are in vision and audition and, too a lesser degree, olfaction and gustation. Findings for the somatosensory system (mechanoreception, warming and cooling thermoreception and pain) are less conclusive. Factors that contribute to individual differences in sensory ratings beyond chronological aging include: stimulus factors including stimulus type and body location, response measures and instructions, systemic disease that may affect the peripheral or central nervous system, and environmental factors that may affect the skin integrity.

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