Enhanced Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical Axis Responses to Physostigmine in Normal Aging
Open Access
- 1 March 1995
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A
- Vol. 50 (2) , M114-M120
- https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/50a.2.m114
Abstract
Background. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of normal human aging on the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis response to the centrally active cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. This drug stimulates the HPA axis at a suprapituitary level by increasing central nervous system (CNS) cholinergic activity. Methods. Plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin (βE) and cortisol responses to a 10-minute infusion of physostigmine (.0125 mg/kg) were compared between groups of 10 normal older subjects (71 ± 2 years [mean ± SEM]) and 9 normal young subjects (27 ± 2 years). Plasma physostigmine concentrations were measured to assess the comparability of the pharmacologic stimulus between groups. Results. Endocrine responses were substantially greater in older subjects than young subjects for ACTH (p < .01), βE (p < .01) and cortisol (p < .01). Plasma physostigmine concentrations did not differ between older and young subjects. Conclusion. This study demonstrated increased HPA axis responsivity to a CNS cholinergic stimulus in normal human aging.Keywords
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