The ability of the cutaneous circulation to adapt to pressure-induced vasodilation (PIV) in non-neuropathic (n = 12) and neuropathic (n = 10) elderly subjects was investigated and compared with those of younger non-neuropathic subjects (n = 12). Subjects were aged 60-75 years and 20-35 years in the elderly and young groups, respectively. Non-neuropathic elderly subjects had impaired PIV compared with the younger group (12 vs. 62%; P < 0.001). In the presence of peripheral neuropathy, the older subjects were totally deprived of PIV leading to early pressure-induced cutaneous ischemia (-31%; P < 0.001 vs. the younger and elderly non-neuropathic group). This was due to sensory fiber dysfunction rather than endothelial dysregulation, which ...