AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THEIR IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51878/healthy.v5i4.15768Keywords:
Aging, Nervous System, Older Adults, Quality Of Life, Cognitive FunctionAbstract
ABSTRACT
Aging is an inevitable biological process characterized by progressive structural and functional alterations in the central and peripheral nervous systems. These neurobiological changes directly compromise sensory perception, motor coordination, gait stability, and cognitive functions, thereby undermining functional independence and elevating the risk of falls among older adults. Understanding these intricate interactions is paramount for developing comprehensive geriatric interventions. This literature review aimed to synthesize current evidence on age-related changes in the nervous system and determine their specific impacts on functional capacity and quality of life in older populations. A structured literature search was conducted across four electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar—for peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2025. The screening adhered to predefined eligibility criteria focusing on observational studies, neuropathological examinations, and conceptual syntheses examining structural or functional neurological decline in older adults. Out of 1,240 retrieved records, 13 core publications meeting all inclusion criteria were synthesized narratively. The synthesized literature confirms that structural alterations, including cerebral volume reduction, synaptic density depletion, neuroinflammation, and peripheral demyelination, correlate with diminished processing speed, working memory decline, and impaired sensorimotor integration. Gait and balance abnormalities serve as early functional markers of central neurodegenerative changes and independent predictors of falls. Furthermore, physical frailty and loss of autonomous mobility severely deteriorate perceived quality of life across physical, psychological, and social domains. Neurological aging represents a multifaceted continuum where cellular and macroscopic structural deficits translate into measurable functional impairments. Mitigating these adverse impacts requires integrated geriatric care models that incorporate routine cognitive-sensorimotor screening, structured physical conditioning, and social support frameworks to foster healthy and resilient aging.
ABSTRAK
Penuaan merupakan proses biologis yang tak terelakkan, yang ditandai dengan perubahan struktural dan fungsional secara progresif pada sistem saraf pusat dan perifer. Perubahan neurobiologis ini secara langsung memengaruhi persepsi sensorik, koordinasi motorik, stabilitas gaya berjalan, dan fungsi kognitif, sehingga mengurangi kemandirian fungsional serta meningkatkan risiko jatuh pada lansia. Memahami interaksi yang kompleks ini sangatlah penting untuk mengembangkan intervensi geriatri yang komprehensif. Tinjauan pustaka ini bertujuan untuk menyintesis bukti terkini mengenai perubahan sistem saraf akibat penuaan serta menentukan dampaknya secara spesifik terhadap kapasitas fungsional dan kualitas hidup populasi lansia. Pencarian pustaka secara terstruktur dilakukan pada empat basis data elektronik PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, dan Google Scholar—untuk menemukan artikel yang telah melalui telaah sejawat (peer-reviewed) dan diterbitkan antara tahun 2020 hingga 2025. Proses penyaringan mengikuti kriteria kelayakan yang telah ditetapkan sebelumnya, dengan fokus pada studi observasional, pemeriksaan neuropatologis, dan sintesis konseptual yang mengkaji penurunan neurologis baik secara struktural maupun fungsional pada lansia. Dari 1.240 catatan yang ditemukan, 13 publikasi utama yang memenuhi seluruh kriteria inklusi disintesis secara naratif. Literatur yang disintesis mengonfirmasi bahwa perubahan struktural—termasuk pengurangan volume serebral, penurunan kepadatan sinaptik, neuroinflamasi, dan demielinasi perifer—berkorelasi dengan melambatnya kecepatan pemrosesan informasi, penurunan memori kerja, serta gangguan integrasi sensorimotor. Abnormalitas gaya berjalan dan keseimbangan merupakan penanda fungsional awal dari perubahan neurodegeneratif sentral sekaligus prediktor independen risiko jatuh. Selain itu, kelemahan fisik (frailty) dan hilangnya mobilitas mandiri secara signifikan menurunkan kualitas hidup yang dirasakan, baik dalam aspek fisik, psikologis, maupun sosial. Penuaan neurologis merupakan suatu kontinum multidimensi di mana defisit struktural, baik pada tingkat seluler maupun makroskopis, bermanifestasi menjadi gangguan fungsional yang dapat diukur. Upaya memitigasi dampak buruk tersebut memerlukan model perawatan geriatri terintegrasi yang mencakup skrining kognitif-sensorimotor secara rutin, latihan fisik terstruktur, dan kerangka dukungan sosial guna mendorong proses penuaan yang sehat dan tangguh.
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