[The aging human from the neuropsychiatric viewpoint]

Aging processes facilitate the occurrence of neuropsychiatric disorders. Diseases of the brain but also extracerebral disorders, together with sociocultural influences lead to psychic disturbances. These become more and more frequent dependent on the remarkable increase in life span. The most important psychiatric diseases in aged people are the organic psychosyndrome, depression and dementia. Exact differential diagnostic criteria are essential for the therapeutic strategies of choice.