We applied standard techniques to assess IENF density from thigh and leg of 207 healthy subjects, (M/F = 88/119), age 49.1 ± 14.2 years (range 18–82) and to calculate leg/thigh density ratio.
IENF density was 14.3 ± 3.5 at the leg and 22.5 ± 4.2 at the thigh. IENF density decreased with age at both sites. Female subjects showed a higher density of IENF compared to male subjects at the distal site only. Average leg/thigh density ratio was 0.64 ± 0.13. This value decreased with age and differed between female (0.66 ± 0.13) and male (0.62 ± 0.13) subjects.
Lower limb IENF analysis shows that age affects nerve density in both proximal and distal sites. Leg/thigh ratio is slightly higher in female compared to male subjects. The gender related IENF density differences observed distally are not evident at the proximal site.