应激任务生理反应的年龄相关变化：一项近红外光谱研究

Age-Related Changes in Physiological Reactivity to a Stress Task: A Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study.

作者信息

Brugnera A, Zarbo C, Adorni R, Gatti A, Compare A, Sakatani K

机构信息

Department of Human & Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Piazzale S. Agostino 2, 24129, Bergamo, Italy.

NEWCAT Research Institute, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, College of Engineering, Nihon University, Koriyama, Japan.

出版信息

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017;977:155-161. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-55231-6_21.

DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-55231-6_21

PMID:28685440

Abstract

Aging is associated with changes in biological functions, such as reduced cardiovascular responses to stressful tasks. However, less is known about the influence of age on the reactivity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to acute stressors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a computerized-controlled stress task on the PFC and autonomic system activity in a sample of older and younger adults. We recruited a total of 55 healthy, right-handed persons (26 older adults with mean age 69.5, SD 5.8 years; and 29 younger adults with mean age 23.8, SD 3.3 years); groups were balanced for sex. Tasks included a control and an experimental condition: during both tasks individuals had to solve simple mental arithmetic problems. For the experimental condition, all participants were faced with a time limit that induced significant stress. Physiological indexes were collected continuously during the entire procedure using a 2-channel near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and an ECG monitoring system. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess changes in hemoglobin concentrations, and changes in both heart rate and performance outcomes. NIRS, ECG and performance data showed a significant interaction between the group and condition. Post-hoc analyses evidenced a significant increase in heart rate and Oxy-Hb concentration in the bilateral PFC between the control and experimental condition only in the younger group. Post-hoc analyses of behavioral data showed lower percentages of correct responses and higher response times in the older group. In summary, these results suggested that cardiovascular and cortical reactivity to stress tasks are a function of age. Older individuals seem to be characterized by blunted physiological reactivity, suggestive of impaired adaptive responses to acute stressors. Therefore, future studies should investigate the underlying physiological mechanisms of prefrontal and cardiovascular changes related to aging.

摘要

衰老与生物功能的变化有关，比如心血管对压力任务的反应性降低。然而，关于年龄对前额叶皮质（PFC）对急性应激源反应性的影响，我们所知甚少。因此，本研究旨在调查一项计算机控制的压力任务对老年人和年轻人样本中PFC及自主神经系统活动的影响。我们总共招募了55名健康的右利手者（26名老年人，平均年龄69.5岁，标准差5.8岁；29名年轻人，平均年龄23.8岁，标准差3.3岁）；两组在性别上保持均衡。任务包括一个对照条件和一个实验条件：在两个任务中，个体都必须解决简单的算术问题。在实验条件下，所有参与者都面临一个会引发显著压力的时间限制。在整个过程中，使用双通道近红外光谱（NIRS）和心电图监测系统持续收集生理指标。采用重复测量方差分析来评估血红蛋白浓度的变化以及心率和行为结果的变化。NIRS、心电图和行为数据显示组间和条件间存在显著交互作用。事后分析表明，仅在年轻组中，对照条件和实验条件之间双侧PFC的心率和氧合血红蛋白（Oxy-Hb）浓度显著增加。行为数据的事后分析显示，老年组的正确反应百分比更低，反应时间更长。总之，这些结果表明，心血管和皮质对压力任务的反应性是年龄的函数。老年人似乎具有生理反应迟钝的特征，这表明对急性应激源的适应性反应受损。因此，未来的研究应该调查与衰老相关的前额叶和心血管变化的潜在生理机制。