Abstract
BACKGROUND: Age-related changes in nociception have been extensively studied in the past decades. However, it remains unclear whether in addition to the increased incidence of chronic illness, age-related changes in nociception contribute to increased prevalence of pain in the elderly. Although a great deal of evidence suggests that nociception thresholds increase with aging, other studies yield disparate results. The aim of this investigation was to longitudinally determine the effect of aging on nociception. METHODS: The authors developed a nociception assay for mice using electrical stimuli at 2,000, 250, and 5 Hz that reportedly stimulate Abeta, Adelta, and C sensory nerve fibers, respectively. A system was designed to automate a method that elicits and detects pain-avoiding behavior in mice. Using a Latin square design, the authors measured current vocalization thresholds serially over the course of mice's life span. RESULTS: For 2,000-Hz (Abeta), 250-Hz (Adelta), and 5-Hz (C) electrical stimuli, current vocalization thresholds first decreases and then increases with aging following a U-shaped pattern (P < 0.001). In addition, average current vocalization thresholds at youth and senescence are significantly higher than those at middle age for the 250-Hz (Adelta) and 5-Hz (C fiber) electrical stimulus (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel and noninjurious nociception assay, the authors showed that over the life span of mice, current vocalization threshold to electrical stimuli changes in a U-shaped pattern. The findings support the notion that age-related changes in nociception are curvilinear, and to properly study and treat pain, the age of subjects should be considered.