Age-related impairment of neurovascular coupling responses: a dynamic vessel analysis (DVA)-based approach to measure decreased flicker light stimulus-induced retinal arteriolar dilation in healthy older adults.

摘要: Aging is a major risk factor for vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Recent studies demonstrate that cerebromicrovascular dysfunction plays causal role in the development of age-related impairment, part via disruption neurovascular coupling (NVC) responses. NVC (functional hyperemia) responsible adjusting cerebral blood flow to increased energetic demands activated neurons, preclinical animal models aging, pharmacological restoration associated with improved performance. To translate these findings, there an increasing need develop novel sensitive tools assess function VCID evaluate treatment efficacy. Due shared developmental origins, anatomical features, physiology, assessment retinal vessel may serve as important surrogate outcome measure study dysfunction. The present was designed compare responses young (  65 years age; n = 11) healthy human subjects by assessing flicker light-induced changes diameter arterioles using dynamic analyzer (DVA)-based approach. We found were significantly decreased older adults compared younger subjects. propose DVA-based approach can be used NVC, measure, effects therapeutic interventions individuals.