Age-Related Changes of the Concentrations of Select Elements in the Prostates of Japanese

To elucidate compositional changes of the prostate with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the prostates and the relationships among their elements using Japanese and Thai. After ordinary dissections by students at Nara Medical University and Chiang Mai University were finished, the prostates were resected from the subjects. Fifty-seven Japanese subjects ranged in age from 65 to 101 years (average age = 82.5 ± 7.8 years), whereas 13 Thai subjects ranged in age from 43 to 86 years (average age = 67.9 ± 11.9 years). After ashing with nitric acid and perchloric acid, element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that although there were no significant correlations between age and seven element contents, such as Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na, in the prostates of Japanese, high contents of Ca (>5 mg/g) and P (>4 mg/g) were contained in one fourth of the prostates of Japanese over 70 years of age. In the prostates of Thai, a significant direct correlation was found between age and Ca content, but it was not found between age and the other element contents, such as P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na. Regarding the relationships among their elements, extremely significant direct correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, and Na in the prostates of Japanese. In the prostates of Thai, significant direct correlations were found among the contents of Ca, Mg, and Zn, but no significant correlations were found between Ca and P contents and between P and Mg contents. Regarding the relationships among their elements, there were differences between the prostates of Japanese and Thai. To examine whether element contents changed in prostatic hypertrophy, the transverse width of the Japanese prostates was measured. No significant correlations were found between the transverse width and element contents, such as Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na, in the Japanese prostates. Therefore, it is unlikely that the increase of elements results in prostatic hypertrophy.     

Age-dependent Increases of Calcium, Phosphorus, and Sodium in the Uterine Arteries of Thai

To elucidate compositional changes of the uterine artery with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the uterine arteries of Thai. After ordinary dissection by medical students at Chiang Mai University was finished, the uterine arteries were resected from Thai subjects. Thai subjects ranged in age from 27 to 86 years (average age = 63.3 +/- 17.7 years). The element content of the uterine arteries was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that the Ca, P, and Na contents increased progressively in the uterine arteries of Thai with aging. A significant accumulation of Ca and P in the uterine arteries of Thai was found in the sixties patients, and the accumulation increased markedly in the seventies. Regarding the uterine arteries in subjects more than 60 years, the extent of accumulation of Ca and P in the uterine arteries of Thai was one half of that in the uterine arteries of Japanese. Regarding the relationships among elements, extremely significant direct correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, and Na in the uterine arteries of Thai. As Ca increased in the uterine arteries of Thai, P, Mg, Zn, and Na increased simultaneously in the arteries.     

Age-Related Decrease of the Phosphorus Content in the Ligamentum Capitis Femoris of Monkeys

To elucidate compositional changes of the ligament with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) of monkeys with a wide range of ages by direct chemical analysis. Used rhesus and Japanese monkeys consisted of 9 males and 22 females, ranging in age from newborn to 31 years (average age?=?10.4?±?10.9 years). After incineration with nitric acid and perchloric acid, element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that the P content decreased significantly in the LCFs of monkeys with aging, but other six element contents, Ca, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na, did not change significantly with aging. Assuming that the P content indicated the active cell density and the S content indicated the protein amount, an age-related change of the mass ratio of P/S was examined in the LCFs. The mass ratio of P/S decreased significantly in the LCFs in childhood. Regarding the relationships among elements, significant direct correlations were found among the Ca, P, S, and Mg contents in the LCFs. It was suggested that the active cell density of the connective tissue cells might decrease significantly in the LCF in childhood.     

Age-related changes of element contents in human tendon of the iliopsoas muscle and the relationships among elements

To elucidate compositional changes of the tendons with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of element contents in the tendon of the iliopsoas muscle by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The subjects consisted of 14 men and 14 women, ranging in age from 4 to 102 yr. The insertion tendons of the iliopsoas were removed from the cadavers after ordinary dissection and also surgically from patients with congenital dislocation of the hip. It was found that both Mg and P in the tendon of the iliopsoas muscle increased significantly with aging, but the other elements, such as S, Ca, Na, Zn, Fe, and Si, hardly changed with aging. With regard to the relationship among element contents, extremely significant correlations were found between P and S contents, between Mg and Na contents, and between S and Zn contents. In addition, very significant correlations were found between Si and either S or Zn contents. However, there was no significant correlation between Ca and P contents. These results revealed that with regard to age-related changes of element contents and the relationships among element contents, the tendon of the iliopsoas muscle was different from the Achilles tendon, in which both Mg and P decreased significantly with aging and there were significant correlations each other among the contents of S, Mg, and P.     

Age-Related Changes of Elements in the Anterior Commissures and the Relationships Among their Elements

To elucidate compositional changes of the anterior commissure with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the anterior commissures and the relationships among their elements. After ordinary dissection at Nara Medical University was finished, the anterior commissures were resected from 45 subjects, ranging in age from 70 to 101 years. The subjects consisted of 22 men and 23 women. After ashing with nitric acid and perchloric acid, the element content of the anterior commissures was determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The seven element contents of Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na did not change significantly in the anterior commissures with aging. Regarding the relationships among their element contents, significant correlations were found among the contents of Ca, Mg, Zn, and Na in the anterior commissures. The gender difference that the Zn content was significantly higher in men than in women was found in the anterior commissure.     

Calcium Increase in the Mammillary Bodies with Aging

To elucidate compositional changes of the mammillary body with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements, relationships among their elements, and gender differences in the mammillary bodies by direct chemical analysis. After ordinary dissection at Nara Medical University was finished, the mammillary bodies were resected from the cerebra of the subjects. The subjects consisted of 19 men and 25 women, ranging in age from 70 to 101 years (average age?=?83.8?±?7.2 years). After ashing of the mammillary bodies with nitric acid and perchloric acid, element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that the Ca content increased slightly and significantly in the mammillary bodies with aging, but the P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na contents did not change significantly with aging. Regarding the relationships among elements, significant correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, S, and Mg in the mammillary bodies, with one exception between P and Mg contents. With regard to the seven element contents, no significant gender differences were found in the mammillary bodies.     

Age-Related Changes of Elements and Relationships Among Elements in Human Hippocampus, Dentate Gyrus, and Fornix

To elucidate compositional changes of the limbic system with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, and fornix and the relationships among elements by direct chemical analysis. After ordinary dissections at Nara Medical University were finished, the hippocampi, dentate gyri, and fornices were resected from identical cerebra of the subjects which consisted of 23 men and 23 women, ranging in age from 70 to 101 years. After ashing with nitric acid and perchloric acid, element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The average contents of P, Zn, and Na were significantly less in both the hippocampi and dentate gyri compared with the fornices. It was found that the Ca and Mg contents increased significantly in the hippocampus with aging; the P content increased significantly in the dentate gyrus with aging, whereas the Na content decreased in the dentate gyrus with aging; and the Mg content increased significantly in the fornix with aging. Regarding the relationships among elements, a significant direct correlation between Ca and Fe contents and an extremely significant inverse correlation between P and Zn contents were found in both the hippocampi and dentate gyri. In addition, a significant direct correlation between P and Mg contents was found in both the hippocampi and fornices. Pearson's correlation was used to examine whether there were elements with significant correlation among the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, fornix, and mammillary body. Significant correlations were found in five elements of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, and Fe except for S and Na among the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, and mammillary body with one exception. Regarding the fornix, significant correlations were found in two elements of P and Fe between the fornix and hippocampus, dentate gyrus, or mammillary body.     

Age-related changes of elements and relationships among elements in human tendons and ligaments

To elucidate compositional changes of the tendons and ligaments with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of element contents in the insertion tendons of the biceps brachii muscle, central tendons of the diaphragma, Achilles’ tendons, posterior longitudinal ligaments (PLLs) of the cervical spine, ligamenta capitum femorum, and anterior cruciate ligaments. After ordinary dissections by medical students, the three tendons and three ligaments were resected and element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that the elements, such as Ca, P, S, Mg, Na, Zn, and Fe, did not change significantly in the three tendons and two ligaments with aging, except for the PLLs where Ca and Mg increased significantly with aging and Fe decreased significantly with aging. With regard to the relationships among elements, the common finding that there were significant correlations between Ca and P contents and between Ca and Mg contents was obtained in the three ligaments. Likewise, the common finding that there was a significant correlation between Ca and Mg contents was obtained in the three tendons. Regarding the relationship between Ca and P contents, the three tendons were different from the three ligaments.     

Age-Related Changes of Elements in Human Olfactory Bulbs and Tracts and Relationships Among Their Contents

To elucidate compositional changes of the olfactory bulb and tract with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the olfactory bulbs and tracts of Japanese and the relationships among the elements. After ordinary dissection at Nara Medical University was finished, the olfactory bulbs were resected with the olfactory tracts from 40 subjects. The subjects consisted of 15 men and 25 women, ranging in age from 65 to 102 years (average age = 84.6 +/- 7.5 years). After ashing with nitric acid and perchloric acid, element contents in the olfactory bulbs and tracts were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Seven elements of Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na did not change significantly in the olfactory bulbs and tracts with aging. The Ca, P, and S contents of major elements were less than 10 mg/g in all of the olfactory bulbs and tracts. Regarding the relationships among the elements, extremely or very significant direct correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, and Na in the olfactory bulbs and tracts, with one exception. In addition, an extremely significant direct correlation was found between S and Mg contents and a very significant direct correlation was found between P and S contents. As P increased in the olfactory bulb and tract, Ca, Mg, Zn, Na, and S also increased in the olfactory bulb and tract.     

Mineral Composition of and the Relationships Between Them of Human Basal Ganglia in Very Old Age

Trace elements and the relationships among them were investigated by direct chemical analysis in three basal ganglia regions in very old age individuals and age- and gender-related differences were assessed. After ordinary dissections at Nara Medical University were finished, the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus belonging to the basal ganglia were removed from the identical cerebra of the subjects who consisted of 22 men and 23 women, ranging in age from 70 to 101 years (average age?=?83.3?±?7.5 years). After incineration with nitric acid and perchloric acid, the element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that the Ca, P, and Mg contents increased significantly in the putamen with aging and the Mg content increased significantly in the globus pallidus with aging, but no elements increased significantly in the caudate nucleus with aging. Regarding the relationships among elements in the basal ganglia, extremely significant direct correlations were found among the Ca, P, and Mg contents in the putamen. These results suggested that slight calcification occurred in the putamen in very old age. With regard to seven elements of Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na, it was examined whether there were significant correlations among the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus. It was found that there were extremely significant direct correlations among all of the three basal ganglia in the P content. Likewise, with regard to the Fe content, there were extremely or very significant direct correlations among all of the three basal ganglia. Regarding the gender difference in elements, it was found that the Ca content of the caudate nucleus was significantly higher in women than in men.     

Scarce Occurrence of Calcification in Human Sinoatrial Nodal Arteries in Old Age

To elucidate age-related changes of the sinoatrial (sinuatrial) nodal (SAN) artery, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the SAN artery by direct chemical analysis. In addition, the effects of different arterial origins, arterial sizes, and genders on element accumulation were investigated in the SAN artery. Fifty-nine formalin-fixed adult Thai hearts were dissected, and the following three types of the SAN artery were found: The first type was a single SAN artery arising from the right coronary artery (RCA). The second type was a single SAN artery arising from the proximal segment of the left circumflex artery (LCX). The third type was dual SAN artery arising from both the RCA and the LCX. For element analysis, both 41 single SAN arteries arising from the RCA and the LCX and 18 larger branches of dual SAN artery were used. After the arteries were incinerated with nitric acid and perchloric acid, element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that seven element contents such as Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na did not change significantly in the SAN arteries with aging. Regarding the relationships among seven elements in the SAN arteries, extremely significant direct correlations were found among P, S, Mg, and Fe contents with one exception. However, no significant correlations were found between Ca and either P or Mg contents in the SAN arteries. To examine an effect of the different arterial origins on element accumulation, the SAN arteries were separated into the RCA and the LCX groups by the arterial origin and age-related changes of element contents were compared between two groups. It was found that there were no significant differences between the RCA and the LCX groups in age-related changes of Ca and P contents. No gender differences were found in age-related changes of Ca and P contents in the SAN arteries. To elucidate whether calcification occurred in the SAN arteries in old age, both the mass ratios of Ca/P and Mg/Ca were estimated in the SAN arteries. The mass ratio of Ca/P increased progressively in the SAN arteries with Ca increase, being not constant. The mass ratio of Mg/Ca decreased gradually in the SAN arteries with Ca increase, but the average mass ratio of Mg/Ca was very high, being 49.4 ± 16.5%. These results indicated that calcification scarcely occurred in the SAN arteries in old age, independently of the arterial origin and gender.     

Decreases of calcium and phosphorus in monkey cardiac walls with development and aging

To elucidate compositional changes of the cardiac walls with development and aging, the authors investigated changes of elements in the atrial and ventricular walls of monkeys. The left and right atrial walls, left and right ventricular walls, and interatrial and interventricular septa were resected from the subjects. The subjects consisted of 17 rhesus and 13 Japanese monkeys, ranging in age from 10 d to 33 yr. The element content of the cardiac walls was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The Ca and P contents decreased in all of the left and right atrial and ventricular walls, interatrial septa, and interventricular septa with development, whereas the S and Mg contents decreased in the left and right ventricular walls with development. Regarding the relationships among elements, significant direct correlations were found among Ca, P, Mg, and Zn in all of the left and right atrial walls, left and right ventricular walls, and interatrial and interventricular septa, with some exceptions. As Ca decresed in the cardic walls, P, Mg, and Zn decreased simultaneously in the cardiac walls. The mass ratio of Ca/P decreased gradually with Ca decrease in both the atrial and ventricular walls, but it was not constant.     

Increases of calcium and phosphorus in the uterine arteries with aging

To elucidate compositional changes of the uterine artery with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the uterine arteries. After ordinary dissection by medical students at Nara Medical University was finished, the uterine arteries were resected from the subjects. The element content of the uterine arteries was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The subjects ranged in age from 58 to 99 yr (average age=82.7±10.1 yr). It was found that the Ca, P, and Na contents increased progressively in the uterine arteries with aging. A significant accumulation of Ca and P in the uterine arteries was found in the sixties and increased markedly in the eighties. It should be noted that as far as the arteries in those over 70 yr of age, the extent of accumulation of Ca and P was the highest in the uterine arteries within the limits of the arteries analyzed by us. Regarding the relationships among elements, significant direct correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, and Na. As Ca increased in the uterine arteries, P, Mg, Zn, and Na increased simultaneously in the arteries.     

Age-related attenuation in the elements in monkey sino-atrial node

Changes in trace elements of the sino-atrial (SA) node with aging was investigated using 24 hearts of the Japanese and rhesus monkeys of ages ranging from 27 d to 30 yr. With aging, sympathetic activity decreases and SA nodal function deterionates. The SA nodal tissue was removed from the anatomical position and was confirmed by means of histological observation. The elements, such as Ca, P, S, Mg, Na, Fe, and Zn, were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Advancing age never increased the contents of the trace elements, but decreased them. The correlation coefficients for the age-dependent attenuations were −0.561 (n=24, p<0.01) in Ca and −0.482 (n=24, p<0.05) in P. The correlations for the attenuations induced by other trace elements were not significant. Furthermore, close relationships of the elements between Ca and P, S, Zn, or Na contents, between P and Zn or Na contents, and between Zn and Na contents were observed. These results indicate that the elements in the monkey SA node are attenuated with an increase in age, presumably suggesting the age-related suppression of cardiac functions as a result of the histological alterations of the SA nodal cells.     

Age-related Changes of Elements in Human Corpus Callosum and Relationships Among These Elements

To elucidate compositional changes of the corpus callosum with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements and relationships with their element contents in the corpus callosum. After ordinary dissection by medical students at Nara Medical University was finished, the genu, trunk, and splenium of the corpus callosum were resected from the subjects ranging in age from 58 to 94 years. The element contents of the corpus callosum were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The contents of Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na did not change significantly in the genu, trunk, and splenium of the corpus callosum with aging. Regarding the relationships among the element contents, significant correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, S, Mg, and Fe in all of the genu, trunk, and splenium of the corpus callosum with some exceptions.     

Gender Differences in the Phosphorus Content of the Sino-atrial Nodes and Other Cardiac Regions of Monkeys

To examine whether there were gender differences in the sino-atrial node (SAN), the authors investigated the gender difference in the SAN using monkey hearts by direct chemical analysis from a viewpoint of element contents. The used rhesus and Japanese monkeys consisted of 30 males (average age = 6.5 ± 7.5 years) and 30 females (average age = 12.2 ± 10.3 years), ranging in age from newborn to 30 years. The SAN tissues were removed from the anatomical position of monkey hearts and were confirmed by means of histological observation. After ashing with nitric acid and with perchloric acid, element contents of the SANs, such as Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na, were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. In addition, gender differences in the right atrial walls, left ventricular walls, mitral valves, and left coronary arteries of monkeys were also investigated as controls. It was found that the P content was significantly higher in females than in males in the SANs of monkeys, but the other six element contents, Ca, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na, were not significantly different between males and females in the SANs of monkeys. Regarding the P content, a similar finding was also obtained in both the right atrial walls and the left ventricular walls of monkeys, but it was not obtained in the mitral valves and the left coronary arteries of monkeys. The P content of tissue is mostly determined by the nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) content and the phospholipid content of tissue. Nucleic acids in the cell nucleus and the cytosol, and phospholipids in the cell membrane are all indicators of metabolically active cells. It is reasonable to presume that the P content in the SAN indicates the active cell density, namely, the number of active cells per volume. Therefore, there is a possibility that the active cell density of the SAN is significantly higher in females than in males.     

The Effect of Age on 12 Chemical Element Contents in the Intact Prostate of Adult Men Investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

The effect of age on 12 chemical element contents in intact prostate of 64 apparently healthy, 13-60-year-old men (mean age 36.5 years) was investigated by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for mass fraction (milligrams/kilogram, on dry weight basis) of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn were: Ba 1.18 ± 0.12, Ca 2,178 ± 160, Cu 10.7 ± 0.9, Fe 122 ± 5, K 12,530 ± 360, Mg 1,100 ± 70, Na 10,470 ± 320, P 7,580 ± 300, S 8,720 ± 180, Sr 1.85 ± 0.28, and Zn 782 ± 97, respectively. The upper limit of mean content of V was ≤0.22 mg/kg. A tendency of age-related increase in Ca, Fe, Na, and Zn mass fraction as well an increase in Zn/Ba, Zn/Ca, Zn/Cu, Zn/Fe, Zn/K, Zn/Mg, Zn/Na, Zn/P, Zn/S, and Zn/Sr ratios in prostate was observed. A significant positive correlation was seen between the prostatic zinc and Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Na, and P contents.     

Age-Related Changes of Elements in the Coronary Arteries of Monkeys in Comparison with Those of Humans

To elucidate compositional changes of the coronary artery with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the coronary arteries of rhesus and Japanese monkeys by direct chemical analysis in comparison with the coronary arteries of Japanese and Thai. Used monkeys consisted of 38 rhesus monkeys and 23 Japanese monkeys, ranging in age from newborn to 33 years. After perfusion with a fixative, the hearts were resected from the monkeys, and the anterior interventricular branches of the left coronary artery and the right coronary arteries were resected from the hearts. After ashing of the arteries, element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that the Ca and P contents did not increase in both the left and right coronary arteries of rhesus and Japanese monkeys at old age. The average contents of Ca and P decreased by 13% and 25% in the left coronary arteries more than 20 years of age in comparison with those below 20 years of age, whereas they decreased by 4% and 15% in the right coronary arteries more than 20 years of age in comparison with those below 20 years of age. This finding indicated that atherosclerosis scarcely occurred in both the left and right coronary arteries of rhesus and Japanese monkeys at old age. In contrast with monkeys, atherosclerosis occurred frequently in the coronary arteries of Japanese and Thai at old age.     

Mass ratios of magnesium to calcium and phosphorus in the arteries of Japanese and Thai

To elucidate quantitative changes of Ca, P, and Mg in the arteries with aging, the authors investigated changes of the mass ratios of Mg to Ca and P in the arteries of Japanese and Thai by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The arteries of Japanese that were used were the thoracic and abdominal aortas, coronary, common iliac, internal iliac, external iliac, and femoral arteries, in which very high accumulations of Ca and P occurred in old age. The arteries of Thai that were used were the abdominal aorta, ramifying site of the abdominal aorta, coronary, common iliac, internal iliac, and external iliac arteries. It was found that there were extremely significant correlations both between Ca and Mg contents and between P and Mg contents in all of the arteries of the Japanese and the Thai. With regard to the mass ratio, the mass ratios of Mg to Ca ranged from 1.5% to 2.1% in the six arteries of the Japanese, except for the thoracic aorta at 3.1%, at an advanced stage of atherosclerosis, being similar to each other. In the arteries of the Thai, the mass ratios of Mg to Ca ranged from 1.9% to 3.0%, except for the coronary artery at 0.5%, at an advanced stage of atherosclerosis. The mass ratios of Mg to P ranged from 2.5% to 2.7% in the six arteries of the Japanese, except for the coronary artery at 1.8%, at an advanced stage of atherosclerosis. With regard to the arteries of the Thai, the mass ratios of Mg to P ranged from 1.9% to 3.3%, except for the coronary artery at 0.7%, at an advanced stage of atherosclerosis. These results revealed that both the mass ratios of Mg to Ca and Mg to P were almost similar among the arteries of Japanese and Thai, except for the coronary arteries. Therefore, these results suggested that the inorganic deposits in the coronary arteries of Japanese and Thai were similar to those in the intimal tunica of the thoracic aorta, whereas in the other arteries, they were similar to those in the middle tunica of the thoracic aorta.     

Element Distribution in Visual System,the Optic Chiasma,Lateral Geniculate Body,and Superior Colliculus

To elucidate compositional changes of the visual system with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the optic chiasma, lateral geniculate body, and superior colliculus, relationships among their elements, relationships among their brain regions from a viewpoint of elements, and gender differences in their elements by direct chemical analysis. After ordinary dissection at Nara Medical University was finished, the optic chiasmas, lateral geniculate bodies, and superior colliculi were resected from identical cerebra of the subjects. The subjects consisted of 14 men and 10 women, ranging in age from 75 to 96 years (average age = 85.6 ± 5.9 years). After ashing with nitric acid and perchloric acid, element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. As the result, the average content of P was significantly higher in the optic chiasma and superior colliculus compared with the lateral geniculate body. Regarding age-related changes of elements, no significant changes with aging were found in seven elements of the optic chiasma, lateral geniculate body, and superior colliculus in the subjects more than 75 years of age. The findings that with regard to the relationships among elements, there were extremely significant direct correlations between Ca and Zn contents and significant inverse correlations between Mg and Na contents were obtained in common in all of the optic chiasma, lateral geniculate body, and superior colliculus. It was examined whether there were significant correlations among the optic chiasma, lateral geniculate body, and superior colliculus in the seven elements and the following results were obtained: There were significant direct correlations between the optic chiasma and lateral geniculate body in both the P and Mg contents; there was a significant direct correlation between the optic chiasma and superior colliculus in the Fe content; and a significant direct correlation was found between the lateral geniculate body and superior colliculus in the Mg content. Regarding the gender differences in elements, it was found that both the Ca and Zn contents of the lateral geniculate body were significantly higher in women than in men.