Changes in the Spinal Cord

The number of cells in the spinal cord decreases with age, but actual counts have not been well investigated; the decrease does not appear to affect the functional capacity of the spinal cord. Decreases in nerve conduction are mostly due to changes in the peripheral nerves. A decrease in muscle strength is likely due to a loss of muscle fibers (sarcopenia) rather than to denervation. The principal effect of aging on spinal cord function is due to indirect changes, such as degenerative disease of the spine and intervertebral disks with compression of the spinal cord and entrapment of the nerve roots.