Showing papers in "Journal of Gerontology in 1977"
TL;DR: There was a high correlation of renal disease severity with increasing age, and a wide variety of pathology was found and tabulated, and many lesions were found to increase in severity and incidence with age.
Abstract: Pathology, microbiology, and selected serum chemistries were evaluated in 144 male Fischer rats from 4 to 33 mo of age. The rats were reared and maintained under barrier conditions, which successfully excluded the introduction of major infectious disease agents throughout the entire study, including Mycoplasma pulmonis. A wide variety of pathology was found and tabulated, and many lesions were found to increase in severity and incidence with age. There was a high correlation of renal disease severity with increasing age, while alpha-1 globulin and cholesterol increased.
518 citations
TL;DR: Life satisfaction at the end of a 4-year-period was significantly related to initial levels of self-rated health, social actiivty, and sexual enjoyment, and attempts to predict residual change in life satisfaction by initial levels or by changes in these variables were largely unsuccessful.
Abstract: Longitudinal analyses were performed on changes in life satisfaction among a sample of 378 community residents, aged 46-70. There were no significant changes in the mean life satisfaction scores for any age-sex cohort and no significant differences between the sexes, although there were some individual changes. Life satisfaction at the end of a 4-year-period was significantly related to initial levels of self-rated health, social actiivty, and sexual enjoyment. Attempts to predict residual change in life satisfaction by initial levels or by changes in these variables were largely unsuccessful.
248 citations
TL;DR: A theoretical model is proposed to explain the often contradictory results reported in this literature on the relocation of the aged and it is argued that an individuals' response to relocation is largely determined by the perceived predictability and controllability of the events surrounding a move.
Abstract: The literature on the relocation of the aged is examined and the findings are presented within a framework of three types of moves--institution to institution, home to institution, and home to home--with each type having a voluntary and involuntary component. A theoretical model is proposed to explain the often contradictory results reported in this literature. In brief, it is argued that an individuals' response to relocation is largely determined by (a) the perceived predictability and controllability of the events surrounding a move and (b) differences in controllability between pre- and post-relocation environments. The validity of this model is tested by examining existing research and suggestions for future research are made.
245 citations
TL;DR: The brains of aged and young Fischer rats were examined using a modified version of Cajal's gold chloride stain forAstrocytes to suggest that the astrocyte clusters may be analogous to senile plaques.
Abstract: The brains of aged and young Fischer rats were examined using a modified version of Cajal's gold chloride stain for astrocytes. A sizable loss of pyramidal cells and remarkably hypertrophic astrocytes were found in the hippocampus of the aged animals, while the astrocytic changes were not seen in other forebrain regions. Four major characteristics of the pattern of hippocampal astrogliosis were noted: (1) the astrocytes were often found to be grouped in clusters; (2) grouped astrocytes were commonly seen to have similarly oriented processes; (3) small blood vessels were more often stained in regions of pyramidal cell degeneration and astroglial hypertrophy; and (4) reactive astrocytes were in several instances found to be gathered on the "border" between deteriorated regions and healthier appearing areas. This pattern was interpreted to suggest that the astrocyte clusters may be analogous to senile plaques. Since the aged Fischer animals have previously been found to exhibit retention deficits, the possibility that the hippocampal pathology is related to impaired memory in these animals was raised.
221 citations
TL;DR: In aged and young rats, hippocampal slices exhibited marked deficits in frequency and posttetanic potentiation in response to repetitive stimulation, interpreted as resulting from an increased tendency to synaptic depression, rather than from impaired potentiation processes.
Abstract: Neurophysiological experiments were conducted in vitro on 400 mu thick transverse hippocampal slices from aged and young rats. These slices exhibit neurophysiological responses similar to those of intact hippocampus. The aged rats have previously been found to exhibit impaired retention. Synaptic responses of the Schaffer collateral system were not found to be different between aged and young slices when elicited by very low frequency (0.3 Hz) electrical stimulation. However, the aged slices exhibited marked deficits in frequency and posttetanic potentiation in response to repetitive stimulation (15 Hz). This deficit was interpreted as resulting from an increased tendency to synaptic depression, rather than from impaired potentiation processes. The possibility of a relationship of these physiological deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity to the deficits in behavioral plasticity found in these aged animals is considered.
183 citations
TL;DR: The authors found that the elderly subjects were significantly less able to identify the foods than young subjects when blindfolded, while 27 young college students and 29 elderly subjects tasted and smelled a series of unseasoned blended foods.
Abstract: While blindfolded, 27 young college students and 29 elderly subjects tasted and smelled a series of unseasoned blended foods. The elderly subjects were significantly less able to identify the foods than young subjects. The elderly subjects rated the foods on adjective scales in such a way that a multidimensional scaling of these ratings yielded only one dimension, related to the hedonic aspect of the foods. The multidimensional solution for youthful subjects' ratings was two-dimensional, indicating more discrimination among foods for young subjects compared with the elderly. Significantly more elderly subjects commented on the weakness of the smell or taste of the foods.
164 citations
163 citations
131 citations
TL;DR: Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficients were computed for seven frequently used measures of life satisfaction, adjustment, and morale to indicate a high level of interrelationship among the measures.
Abstract: Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficients were computed for seven frequently used measures of life satisfaction, adjustment, and morale. Data on the seven instruments were collected from 259 subjects over the age of 60 representing three clusters: institutionalized older people, those with limited ambulation, and "community" aged. Intercorrelations among the measures indicate a high level of interrelationship.
120 citations
115 citations
TL;DR: A more situationally specific locus of control measure specially designed to take into consideration the environmental circumstances as well as interests of the subject population being studied is used, included in the measure is a desire of outcome index which added substantially to the validity coefficient.
Abstract: In two studies, positive self-concept correlated with belief in one's internal locus of desired control. Examining only institutionalized subjects, the first study found this relationship to be particularly prominent for male subjects (r = .68). In the second study, comparing institutionalized persons sampled from several homes for the aged and noninstitutionalized elderly, this relationship was once again most prominent for the institutionalized males (r = .53). Among these studies internality also correlated positively with nurses' rating of subject's happiness, self-ratings of contentment and happiness, and correlated negatively with length of residency in old age home and age. In response to concerns raised by Rotter (1975) over locus of control research and issues raised by Mischel (1968, 1973) and others concerning personality research in general, the present study used a more situationally specific locus of control measure specially designed to take into consideration the environmental circumstances as well as interests of the subject population being studied. Included in the measure is a desire of outcome index which added substantially to the validity coefficient.
TL;DR: Analysis of longitudinal data for a select sample of 58 male subjects supports current suggestions that retirement be viewed as an event which occasions a complex social process of adaptation conditioned by a variety of resource and temporal variables.
Abstract: Both social psychologists and social gerontologists have expressed considerable interest in adaptation to the loss of central life roles. The relationship between retirement and morale, where morale is viewed as an indicator of adaptation, is an example of research within this theoretical framework. In this study, longitudinal data for a select sample of 58 male subjects were used to examine intensively the process of adaptation to retirement. The strongest finding was evidence of high levels of adaptation in the sample as reflected in the overwhelming stability of morale over time. Multiple regression analysis indicated that social resources, particularly marital status and socioeconomic status, condition the relationship between adaptation and retirement. In summary, our analysis supports current suggestions that retirement be viewed as an event which occasions a complex social process of adaptation conditioned by a variety of resource and temporal variables.
TL;DR: Findings show that specific alterations occur in the activities of several mitochondrial enzymes in aging brain, including 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, acetoacetyl CoA thiolase, and NAD-isocitrate dehydrogen enzyme.
Abstract: The effects of aging on the oxidation of labeled glucose and 3-hydroxybutyrate and on several mitochondrial enzymes in rat brain were investigated. The oxidation of labeled glucose and labeled 3-hydroxybutyrate was diminished by about 40 and 35%, respectively, in cerebral cortex slices from 2-year-old rats compared to those from 3-mo-old animals. A significant reduction in the activities of 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 3-oxo acid CoA transferase, acetoacetyl CoA thiolase, and NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase was observed in brains of 1- and 2-year-old rats compared to 3-mo-old animals. However, aging had no effect on the activities of citrate synthase and pyruvate carboxylase. These findings show that specific alterations occur in the activities of several mitochondrial enzymes in aging brain.
TL;DR: The elderly women were poorer at discriminating between suprathreshold shocks than the young women, interpreted to reflect the integrity of highthreshold dental pulp afferents in the elderly and a central nervous system deficit on the part of the elderly for discriminating between such shocks.
Abstract: Pain threshold for electrical stimulation of healthy, unfilled teeth was studied in young and elderly women. Using the methodology of Sensory Decision Theory, ability to discriminate between suprathreshold shocks (d') and response bias were also assessed. No difference in threshold was observed betweeen the young and elderly groups. The elderly women were poorer at discriminating between suprathreshold shocks than the young women. These results were interpreted to reflect the integrity of highthreshold dental pulp afferents in the elderly and a central nervous system deficit on the part of the elderly for discriminating between such shocks. Significant age differences in response bias were also observed. Elderly subjects were biased against reporting shock as very faint pain compared to the young subjects and they restricted the range of their criteria across the six-point rating scale.
TL;DR: This study confirms the previously reported diminution of vibration perception with aging and suggests that caution must be exercised before attributing myotatic reflex and motor abnormalities to the aging process alone.
Abstract: A group of 51 socially active, self-declared neurologically normal subjects ranging from 61 to 84 years of age were studied with a battery of clinical neurological examinations and a semiquantitative vibration perception test. None of the subjects showed a consistent pattern of neurological deficit that could be identified as pathological. On review of systems, the most frequent complaints were difficulty remembering names, numbness and tingling of fingers and toes, and headaches. In the neurological examination, the most commonly observed abnormalities were positive palmomental reflex, snout reflex, abnormalities in pursuit eye movements, convergence insufficiency, and minor mistakes in perception of light touch. There was no apparent trend of worsening of symptoms and signs with advancing age. In the semiquantitative testing of vibration perception, there was a slight trend toward worsening of vibration perception in the upper and lower extremities with advancing age. Motor abnormalities were absent, and there were relatively few subjects who showed reflex abnormalities. This study confirms the previously reported diminution of vibration perception with aging. Caution must be exercised before attributing myotatic reflex and motor abnormalities to the aging process alone.
TL;DR: The sample data supported the proposition that higher income reduces the impact of health problems on life satisfaction and suggested that policy makers should concentrate upon economic factors when designing policy to improve the welfare of the aged.
Abstract: This investigation examines the relative importance of income, health status, and such sociological factors as worker roles and family setting in explaining the life satisfaction of the aged. A sample of retired individuals was taken from the Columbus, Ohio, area. The survey gathered detailed economic and social data in conjunction with a Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSIZ). Results of the survey indicated that the lower life satisfaction of the recently retired resulted primarily from the loss of income and not from the loss of a worker-producer role. Furthermore, the greater life satisfaction of those living in a family setting seems to result from the higher income available to the household resulting from this living arrangement. The sample data also supported the proposition that higher income reduces the impact of health problems on life satisfaction. Results further suggest that policy makers should concentrate upon economic factors when designing policy to improve the welfare of the aged.
TL;DR: Hair zinc levels were significantly correlated to protein intake by men and were significantly lower in women taking medication for coronary heart disease, and neither dietary intake of zinc, hair zinc levels, nor smoking habits were correlated to taste acuity at the p less than 0.05 level.
Abstract: Dietary intake and nutritional status in regard to zinc were assessed in 65 institutionalized aged subjects. Dietary intake was generally adequate compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances, except in regard to zinc and magnesium. Five percent of the subjects had hair zinc levels indicative of zinc deficiency (below 75 microgram/gm). Hair zinc levels were significantly correlated to protein intake by men and were significantly lower in women taking medication for coronary heart disease. Approximately one-fifth of the subjects had decreased taste acuity as evidenced by an inability to detect a difference in deionized water and 48mM solutions of sodium chloride or sucrose. Neither dietary intake of zinc, hair zinc levels, nor smoking habits were correlated to taste acuity at the p less than 0.05 level.
TL;DR: The result indicates that the decrease in tissue levels of S-Adenosylmethionine in organs of senescent rats is due to the increased utilization rather than the decreased synthesis of this methyl donor compound.
Abstract: The tissue levels of S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in 30-mo.-old rats were measured, and a remarkable decrease was observed compared to adult rats. The synthesis of SAMe by the methionine-activating enzyme and its utilization by COMT were investigated in different tissues. The activity of the synthesizing enzyme was unchanged in the liver and brain of adult and senescent rats, while COMT activity appeared to be higher in the aging rats. Thus, the result indicates that the decrease of same in these organs of senescent rats is due to the increased utilization rather than the decreased synthesis of this methyl donor compound.
TL;DR: The results show that endurance-type training leads to an enhanced capacity for aerobic metabolism in older subjects and that collagen metabolism in skeletal muscles is affected by physical training.
Abstract: Five one-hour exercise periods a week for 8 weeks included walking-jogging, swimming, gymnastics and ballgames for 26 healthy male and female 69-year-old pensioners. The mean maximal oxygen uptake of the men increased from 28.9 ml-kg-1-min-1 before training to 32.0 ml-kg-1-min-1 after training and for the women from 27.9 to 31.3 ml-kg-1-min-1. Muscle malate dehydrogenase activity was increased while that for lactate dehydrogenase decreased or remained the same. The activity of these enzymes was higher in the male both before and after training when compared with the female. However, the percentage number of slow twitch muscle fibers was nearly the same in both groups. Prolyl hydroxylase activity was increased after training especially in the female subjects. These results show that endurance-type training leads to an enhanced capacity for aerobic metabolism in older subjects and that collagen metabolism in skeletal muscles is affected by physical training.
TL;DR: The same event has different effects on perception of emotional state according to age, and events are found to play a different role at different stages of life and seem to be measured against an implicit schedule according to which the events are seen as traumatic or acceptable.
Abstract: The present study investigates changes in personal satisfaction over the whole life course by means of life graphs and their determinants. The life graphs were administered within a 4-year interval to 371 individuals (age 45-70). A modified version of the Holmes and Rahe life events scale, administered in the second interview, was used to ascertain the occurrence of four kinds of events: (1) children leaving home, (2) ill health, (3) death of family or friends, and (4) changes in work. Differences in height between the peak of the graph and the height at the current age is the measurement technique used with the life graphs. Events are found to play a different role at different stages of life and seem to be measured against an implicit schedule according to which the events are seen as traumatic or acceptable. Thus, the same event has different effects on perception of emotional state according to age.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the repeated periods of pseudopregnancy in the aged rats may result from a deficiency in dopamine or from an abnormality in dopamine metabolism in neurons arising or passing through the medial preoptic area.
Abstract: Two-year-old Wistar rats showing repeated periods of pseudopregnancy were compared with young rats that had electrolytic lesions placed in the medial preoptic area. Electrolytic lesions in the medial preoptic area in young rats induced repeated pseudopregnancies what were similar to those seen in the old pseudopregnant rats. Serum prolactin levels were elevated in both groups of rats. Administration of lergotrile mesylate (an ergot-dervied dopamine agonist and prolactin inhibitor) resulted in a reduction in serum prolactin levels and in the appearance of normal consecutive 4- or 5-day estrous cycles in the old rats and in the young rats with brain lesions. These results suggest that the repeated periods of pseudopregnancy in the aged rats may result from a deficiency in dopamine or from an abnormality in dopamine metabolism in neurons arising or passing through the medial preoptic area.
TL;DR: A behavioral program to train elderly nursing home patients in interpersonal skills was systematically developed and evaluated and the Skill Training program was superior to the control conditions but failed to generalize to novel situations.
Abstract: A behavioral program to train elderly nursing home patients in interpersonal skills was systematically developed and evaluated. Data obtained from intensive interviews with patients, staff, and professionals were used to construct a training program and self-report and behavioral measures for assessing the program's effectiveness. Twenty-five patients were randomly assigned to the training program or to one of two control condotions. On a behavioral measure of responses to situations that had been included in training, the Skill Training program was superior to the control conditions. However, learning failed to generalize to novel situations. Directions for future skill training research are discussed.
TL;DR: Middle-aged runners and joggers either possess or develop high levels of self-sufficiency and imagination and tend toward introversion in their personality makeup and it is not known for sure if these factors are a result of or a casual factor in their habitual exercise pattern.
Abstract: A series of personality and physiological tests and measurements were made in 48 healthy male runners and joggers 40-59 years of age (x = 47.3 yrs.). The Cattell 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire showed that the subjects were significantly more intelligent, imaginative, reserved, self-sufficient, sober, shy, and forthright than the general population. A maximal treadmill test revealed the men to be well above the mean for their age in terms of cardiorespiratory fitness. The men who had run a marathon race and the 40-49-year-age group were higher in terms of fitness than nonmarathoners and the 50-59-age groups, but the groups differed very little from each other on personality characteristics. Middle-aged runners and joggers either possess or develop high levels of self-sufficiency and imagination and tend toward introversion in their personality makeup. It is not known for sure if these factors are a result of or a casual factor in their habitual exercise pattern.
TL;DR: It was concluded that these shifts in adaptive capacity between birth and old age were fundamental baselines for investigations of the epidemiology of health.
Abstract: Changes in organ function from birth to old age were investigated from published data. In essence, the observations of Shock and colleagues on maximal breathing capacity, vital capacity, glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, basal metabolic rate (BMR), ulnar nerve conduction velocity, cardiac index, and intracellular water (ICW) for the age period 30 to 85 years were extended to the time of birth. There were two principal findings. First, with the exception of BMR and ICW, these functional indices increased from a low point at birth to a maximum between 3 and 20 years of age and then after 30 years declined progressively to 85 years; BMR declined from a maximum in infancy and ICW peaked at about 30 years and then declinded. Second, the coefficient of variation increased regularly from birth to old age. Because the peak of organ function coincided with the period of minimal mortality, the curve of organ function across the life sequence was considered to represent changes in adaptive capacity. Supporting evidence from studies of physical fitness, thermoregulation, and seasonal change of mortality was considered. It was concluded that these shifts in adaptive capacity between birth and old age were fundamental baselines for investigations of the epidemiology of health.
TL;DR: This research examined the degree to which previous factors shown to be related to morale were isomorphic for aged whites and aged blacks and concluded that for these data the predictors are not isomorphic between races.
Abstract: This research examined the degree to which previous factors shown to be related to morale were isomorphic for aged whites and aged blacks. The data consisted of a random sample of low income aged blacks and whites in Philadelphia and were collected by the late Donald P. Kent as part of the Aged Services Porject and consisted of 722 black elderly and 214 white elderly, all of whom were 65 years of age or older. The results of a regression analysis indicated that for blacks the only two significant predictors of morale were health and participation in solitary activities. For whites, in addition to health and solitary activities, interaction with family and sex were also found to be significant. It was concluded that for these data the predictors are not isomorphic between races. Language: en
TL;DR: Low oxidative activity of the hypothalamus and amygdala in old age was still observed in castrated/hypophysectomized male rats compared with young ones, and the decreased oxygen consumption seems to be due primarily to changes in the brain tissue itself and not due secondarily toChanges in the gonadotropin and sex hormone levels.
Abstract: The oxygen consumption of the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala, of both sexes, ranging in age from 21-805 days for male rats and from 21-780 days for the estrus and diestrus female rats, was measured. The oxidative activity of the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala decreased rapidly from Day 21 until the 4th mo. and stabilized till the 27th mo. in the hippocampus and amygdala and gradually decreased from the 12th mo. to the 27th mo. in the hypothalamus. The cerebral cortex showed a different pattern which kept a constant level from day 21 to 12 mo. of age. There was no statistically significant change in any of the regions at the time of vaginal opening. Low oxidative activity of the hypothalamus and amygdala in old age was still observed in castrated/hypophysectomized male rats compared with young ones. Therefore, the decreased oxygen consumption in old age seems to be due primarily to changes in the brain tissue itself and not due secondarily to changes in the gonadotropin and sex hormone levels. Female rats had higher oxygen consumption values than males in the cerebral cortex, the hypothalamus, and the hippocampus. In the amygdala the males had a higher consumption. Estrus female rats showed significantly higher oxygen consumption than diestrus females only in the hypothalamus.
TL;DR: The activity patterns of elderly men and women (greater than 60 years) were examined by diaries, ECG taperecorders, and electro-chemical integrators, finding that added activity was sufficient to augment aerobic power, to induce favorable changes in body composition and to initiate change in other areas of life style, including a diminished use of the car.
Abstract: The activity patterns of elderly men and women (greater than 60 years) were examined by diaries, ECG taperecorders, and electro-chemical integrators. Although the subjects thought that they were active relative to others of their age, both activity measurements and initial assessments of fitness indicated an inactive life style. At different periods of the day, the heart rate averaged 70-90 beats per minute, and the physical training threshold was rarely approached. During the week, the women engaged in 90 min. more physical activity than the men. However, at the weekend the men added an average of 100 min. of physical activity, whereas the women carried out 30 min. less physical work. Introduction of a 1-hour physical activity class four times per week increased the average daily energy expenditure by 150-200 kCal, to 2500 kCal in the men and 2200 kCal in the women. The added activity was sufficient to augment aerobic power, to induce favorable changes in body composition and to initiate change in other areas of life style, including a diminished use of the car.