ADRENERGIC-INNERVATION OF THE CHOROID DUR ING AGING

Background Aging causes loss of neurons and adrenergic nerve terminati on in various human organism systems and apparatus. The aim of this wo rk is the observation of qualitative and quantitative differences in t he orientation and density of the human choroid adrenergic innervation in relation to age. Methods The choroid specimens were taken from the corresponding sectors of the eyeballs of four patients aged between 7 0 and 75 years and patients aged between 40 and 45 years. The glyoxili c method of Furness and Costa (1975) was used. Results The location an d orientation of the adrenergic fibres was similar in the adult and ag ed patients. However, the fibres are clearly fewer in number less rich in varicosity and have reduced fluorescence. In the suprachoroid lami na thickness and in the vascular layer the adrenergic synaptic contact s with the melanocytes are fewer in number as are also the SIF-cells ( small intensely fluorescent cells). Conclusions With age there is a si gnificant reduction of the orthosympathetic innervation of the human c horoid. This fact could explain some physiopathological aspects of the choroid circulation and blood flow and, therefore, play a part in ocu lar pression variations.