Cerebral arteries remodel and adapt their geometry, elastic properties and function in the course of ageing. The loss of distensibility with ageing seems to be due to structural changes in the elastin fibers rather than loss in elastin content per se. It is noteworthy that elastin is present in both young and old age groups at equal fractional area levels. Elastin seems to be, however, non-functional in the old group, because its chemical disruption does not produce any significant change in the pressure-distensibility curve. Non-functional elastin and increased stiffness affects a number of biological functions on the arterial wall and may be implicated in various forms of cercbrovascular disease.
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