Age-associated abnormalities of water homeostasis

• Published in: Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America Vol. 42; no. 2; p. 349
• Main Authors: Cowen, Laura E, Hodak, Steven P, Verbalis, Joseph G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Aging; Animals; Arginine Vasopressin - blood; Arginine Vasopressin - secretion; Humans; Hyponatremia - blood; Hyponatremia - epidemiology; Hyponatremia - etiology; Hyponatremia - physiopathology; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - growth & development; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiology; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiopathology; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome - blood; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome - epidemiology; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome - etiology; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome - physiopathology; Kidney - growth & development; Kidney - physiology; Kidney - physiopathology; Kidney Concentrating Ability; Pituitary Gland, Posterior - growth & development; Pituitary Gland, Posterior - secretion; Renal Insufficiency - blood; Renal Insufficiency - epidemiology; Renal Insufficiency - etiology; Renal Insufficiency - physiopathology; Risk; Severity of Illness Index; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance - blood; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance - epidemiology; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance - etiology; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance - physiopathology
• ISSN: 1558-4410
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2013.02.005

Findley first proposed the presence of age-related dysfunction of the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal-renal axis more than 60 years ago. More sophisticated studies have since corroborated his findings. As a result, it is now clear that multiple abnormalities in water homeostasis occur commonly with aging, and that the elderly are uniquely susceptible to disorders of body volume and osmolality. This article summarizes the distinct points along the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal-renal axis where these changes have been characterized, as well as the clinical significance of these changes, with special attention to effects on cognition, gait instability, osteoporosis, fractures, and morbidity and mortality.