[Aging of the population: the 2d demographic revolution]

The extension of the duration of life and the growth of elderly population stimulate the neuropharmacology to research new preparations and consequently to develop new methodic of research. At present a project of research started by Glaxo and coordinated by the Centre for Geriatric and Gerontology of Modena University on "The use of a methodology to evaluate aging population and to investigate the effects of L-Acetylcarnitine in senile deterioration" is in progress. Some aspects of this research, like dimension, experimental method, ways of management, evaluation of findings are new. They were discussed and examined during a meeting held on 22nd and 23rd September 1989, the reports of which are in this volume.