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Postgrad Med J 2006;82:301-304 doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.039651
  • Review

Effects of ageing on touch

  1. M M Wickremaratchi1,2,
  2. J G Llewelyn2
  1. 1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, UK
  2. 2Department of Neurology, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Wales, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr M M Wickremaratchi
 Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, B2-C2 link, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, Wales, UK; wpmmmw{at}cf.ac.uk
  • Received 19 July 2005
  • Accepted 28 September 2005

Abstract

A decline in the main sensory modalities is well reported to occur with ageing. This article outlines the normal pathways involved in touch sensation and includes a review of available evidence relating to the study of ageing and touch. The authors try to use what is known about the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of ageing to explain the impact on some broad functional deficits seen in the elderly population. The importance of understanding how the normal ageing process affects touch sensation is emphasised.

Footnotes

  • ↵This article is part of a series on ageing edited by Professor Chris Bulpitt.

  • Funding: none.

  • Conflicts of interest: none.

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