Anorexia in the elderly

Abstract

Weight loss and anorexia occur commonly in the elderly. While in many cases the anorexia can be attributed to associated disease processes, it does appear that a true anorexia of aging exists. Animal studies have suggested that older rodents have an excessive satiety effect of cholecystokinin and a decreased opioid feeding drive. Other older persons develop anorexia in association with depression. In these subjects, excess corticotropin-releasing factor may be the neurotransmitter involved in the pathogenesis of the anorexia. In Alzheimer's disease, decreases in norepinephrine and neuropeptide Y may be involved in the anorexia seen in the these patients.