Zeitschrift fur Alternsforschung最新文献

This report includes empirical findings of a questionnaire-based pilot study. A group of physicians in geriatric practice has been asked with respect to research requirements in social gerontology. The findings presents evidence for need for increase in scientific founded knowledge in specific spheres of perception. According to the recommendations of the explored subjects such themes as housing/relocation to old-age institutions, family, preparation for old age, activating/rehabilitation and so on should be taken up in research work. Our purpose is to stimulate both the discussion between different branches of knowledge on further development of gerontological investigation and the adequate realization of proportion of research to practice in GDR.

Plasmic membrane hyperpolarization resulted in a significant activation of the cell genome and a stimulation of the synthesis of total RNA and protein of hepatocytes. Changes in the level of membrane potential are thought to be one of the mechanisms of regulation of cell's genetic apparatus. In old age the stimulating effect of hyperpolarization is weakened that may be a cause of a change in protein biosynthesis.

Besides the advances of physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology, operative technique affect above all a well balanced nursing in the unit of care, mobilization and prophylaxis positive on the prognosis after surgical operations in the higher age. The demographic development clearly demonstrate the increasing of geriatric surgery in the following years. These pieces of work represent relevant aspects of the surgical care by elderly people; the medical practice and education must take into consideration in these aspects.

Different social items (marital status, social contacts, indigence, level of education) and in addition the social area have consequences to the dental health behaviour and the health consciousness until old age, and influence the success of dental care for the prosthesis wearer.

Several basic characteristics of mental capacity were measured on 59 patients by means of computer-based-methods before and after oxygen multistep therapy (O2-MT) and compared with the results obtained from 14 volunteers serving as controls. Before and without O2-MT, an appreciable, age-dependent decline of the short-term memory capacity (general fluid intelligence) was found. O2-MT, completed by brain jogging, effected a significant increase in the presence duration by 0.4-0.7 secs, in the information flow by 1.4-1.9 bit/sec, resulting in an increase in the short-term memory capacity by 19-23% (in two experimental groups). The short-term memory itself was, however, not improved as compared to the controls. Moreover, the times needed for the accomplishment of perception, interference and reaction tests became significantly shorter by 12-18%. By using the screening test for cerebral insufficiency (CI), which is based on these parameters, the suspicion of CI could be excluded in 18 of 59 patients.

The answer of STH (somatotropic hormone) after stimulation with hGRF (Gonadotropin-releasing-factor) 1-44 in young and old subjects from both sexes is examined. The results show that the young have a raising in concentration of STH significantly. The maximal values are evaluated at 15-60 min after the application of GRF. The old subjects have greater individual differences. The raising of the serum level of STH after hGRF 1-44 although evaluated in the same interval is not significant.

Shaping one's own way of life is essentially a matter of planning, in terms of both subject matter and time span. In an experiment involving 100 men and women of pre-pension age, the authors sought to ascertain how much the personality-forming-effects of occupational work bear upon the spheres and dimensions of people's conceptions of their old-age life. The results prove that lifelong learning, the measure of responsibility and the importance attached to one's own vocational career correlate positively with the score and time span of such conceptions.

The prevalence of hallucinatory depression and symptoms and the social and health status of hallucinatory depressives were studied in a Finnish population aged 60 years or over. The prevalence was 2 per 1,000 for men, 3 per 1,000 for women and 2 per 1,000 for both sexes. Hallucinatory depressions represented 0.9% of all depressions both in men and women, and 7.7% of major depressions in men, 5.7% in women, and 6.3% in both sexes. The hallucinations included visual and hearing hallucinations. Delayed insomnia and depersonalisation were more severe in hallucinatory depressives than in nonhallucinatory major depressives, but initial insomnia was more severe in nonhallucinatory major depressives. Depersonalisation, paranoid symptoms and delayed insomnia were more severe in hallucinatory depressives than in all nonhallucinatory depressives, but initial insomnia was more severe in all nonhallucinatory depressives. The physical health and functional capacity of hallucinatory depressives were good, but they had suffered from social stress factors before the onset of depression. The results gave some evidence that hallucinatory depression in old age is not a clinical entity separate from other forms of major depression.