Ageing And Autonomic Nervous System Activity

There is much clinical evidence to suggest that the activity of autonomic nervous system varies with age. The present study was initiated and an attempt was made to bring out the association of autonomic functions with age. This study was carried out on the population of Amritsar. ANS function tests were conducted using polyrite, Medicare System. One hundred subjects were divided into four different age group (Group A 15-30 years, Group B 31-45 yrs; Group C 46-60 yrs. Group D above 60 yrs. Each group consisted of 25 subjects who included 13 males and 12 females. The autonomic insufficiency was ruled out in all. The sympathetic activity of ANS was compared by Galvanic Skin Resistance (GSR); Cold Presser Response (CPR) and grip test and the parasympathetic activity was compared by standing by lying Ratio (SLR), 30:15 ratio, Valsalva Ratio and Tachycardia ratio. This was analysed statically in each group. The results suggested that with ageing there was progressive decrease in Valsalva ratio while Tachycardia ratios increase suggesting the involvement of parasympathetic activity with ageing. The values for the Cold pressor response and the Hand grip test showed progressive increase with age and GSR showed decrease with age suggesting increase sympathetic activity with age. The parasympathetic activity is lower in females while sympathetic activity is higher in males. So mainly the age and to a lesser extent gender are important factors affecting the autonomic nervous activity.